Aces and Dodgers Meet in Oklahoma City for Pivotal Series
RENO, Nev. – After months of chasing them down, the Reno Aces (30-21) will finally get their crack at the Oklahoma City Dodgers (37-14) this week at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Seven games separate the clubs in the PCL standings. Oklahoma City is enjoying a fabulous May. The Dodgers won 10
RENO, Nev. – After months of chasing them down, the Reno Aces (30-21) will finally get their crack at the Oklahoma City Dodgers (37-14) this week at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Seven games separate the clubs in the PCL standings.
Oklahoma City is enjoying a fabulous May. The Dodgers won 10 straight in the heart of the month, building a sizable lead in the PCL. Oklahoma City has won 15 of its last 18 games and has lost only one series all season. The Dodgers are especially good at home, with a 16-5 record in OKC.
Despite a tough week in El Paso, the Aces have also had a strong month, especially at the plate. Reno holds the best batting average and OPS in Triple-A. The Aces’ pitching staff has been less consistent, surrendering 46 runs during a rough four-game losing streak in El Paso. Reno is 13-11 on the road after a streak-breaking win Sunday.
The Dodgers boast an excellent pitching staff (2nd in Triple-A in ERA) and a less-than-stellar offense (26th in OPS). Promotions have thinned some of Oklahoma City’s attack with prospect Gavin Stone joining the big-league rotation, but the Dodgers bullpen leads Triple-A with a 3.27 ERA.
Alterations to Reno’s league-leading lineup continued in El Paso as the dynamic Dominic Fletcher returned to the top of the order. P.J. Higgins is amid a destructive run at the plate, going 21 for his last 32 (.656) with four doubles, two home runs, six runs driven in, and seven walks. Higgins is hitting .370 with a 1.030 OPS over his last 24 games.
Jahmai Jones is a catalyst for a very balanced Dodgers lineup. Oklahoma City has zero qualified hitters with an OPS north of .900. Still, it has five above .800. Conversely, the Aces have three of the top 10 OPS leaders in the PCL in Buddy Kennedy, Phillip Evans, and Dominic Canzone.
The series will send two of the league’s top six ERA leaders in Oklahoma City’s veteran Matt Andriese and Reno’s youngster Blake Walston. Andriese ranks second in WHIP, while Walston ranks second in ERA.
With the Aces sitting seven games back in the standings and just 24 games remaining in the first half, it’s imperative to have a strong series. Game one is Tuesday at 5:05 p.m. PT.
Following their trip to Oklahoma City, the Aces will return to Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday, June 6th. In a six-game series, they will face the Tacoma Rainiers, Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Single Game tickets are on sale at RenoAces.com, the Greater Nevada Field Ticket Office, or by texting “TIXX” to 21003. Season Memberships are available via RenoAces.com, texting “MEMBER” to 21003, or calling (775) 334-7000.
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