Aces Return Home, Host Bees in Divisional Tilt

After a 12-game road trip, the Reno Aces are back in the Biggest Little City to host the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, for a six-game slate beginning Tuesday, August 16. Reno holds an eight-game lead in the Pacific Coast League West Division.

SCOUTING SALT LAKE

The Bees recently hosted the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and lost two out of the six games.

Dillon Thomas leads the team in RBI (54), batting average (.290), and on-base percentage (.396), among other categories. The outfielder is hitting .301 against right-handed pitchers with 11 homers and 44 RBI.

The Bees’ starting rotation is anchored by Cesar Valdez, who ranks second in the Pacific Coast League with seven wins. The right-hander also is second with a 3.74 ERA. In his most recent start on 8/12 against Sacramento, Valdez tossed six innings of four-run ball on four hits, allowed three walks and struck out three batters.

Gerardo Reyes has been a reliable arm in the back end of Salt Lake’s bullpen and has tallied five saves. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run in four appearances this month.

ACES HIGH

The Bees and Aces are currently tied with a 9-9 head-to-head record this season. In Reno’s last series against Salt Lake, the Aces took two out of the six games. Dominic Fletcher was red-hot at the plate and hit .550 (11-for-20) with six extra-base hits and a run scored in five games. Corbin Carroll started all six games and hit .272 (6-for-22) with a homer, four RBI and three runs scored. On the bump, Drey Jameson dominated with seven innings of one-run ball on four hits, walked three and struck out four to earn his third win.

In their most recent series against Albuquerque, Yonny Hernandez swung a hot bat and hit .313 (5-for-16) in six games with four RBI, five runs scored, four stolen bases and two extra-base hits.

Wilmer Difo hit .333 (7-for-21) with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. Since July 15, Difo is tied for second in the PCL with 29 hits.

Brandon Pfaadt toed the slab Sunday evening, dealt six innings of one-run ball, allowed two walks, and struck out 10 batters.

Out of the bullpen, J.B. Wendelken was lights out with three shutout innings, allowed one hit, no walks and struck out five in two relief appearances while earning his fourth win.