Aces Swept by Space Cowboys, Return to GNF to host Isotopes 

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (21-24) return to Greater Nevada Field following a tough road trip against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (27-18), the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, where they were swept in six games at Constellation Field. They now look to rebound as they host the Albuquerque Isotopes (19-25), the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, for a six-game homestand this week.

The Aces, currently riding a seven-game losing streak, have a prime opportunity to bounce back against the last-place Isotopes. Reno won the 2024 season series against Albuquerque, taking seven of 12 matchups. They also claimed this season’s late-April series at home against the Isotopes, winning four of six games.

Albuquerque enters the series following a three-game split against the Tacoma Rainiers.

Notable players on the Isotopes’ roster include infielders Warming Bernabel and Ryan Ritter.

Bernabel was a major issue for the Aces in their first meeting this season, going 11-for-25 (.440) with five doubles and 11 RBI over six games. The 22-year-old has been a standout performer for Albuquerque this season, slashing .283/.344/.493 with six home runs and 14 walks. He leads the team in hits (39), doubles (11), and RBI (30). Bernabel is coming off a strong showing against Tacoma, where he went 8-for-19 (.421) with a double, a home run, and four RBI. He’s been especially productive on the road, slashing .290/.329/.507 with six doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBI in 18 games. Shutting him down will be key for the Aces this week.

Ritter, ranked as the Rockies’ No. 12 prospect, has also had an impressive season. The 24-year-old shortstop is slashing .253/.391/.493 and leads the Isotopes in home runs (8), walks (29), and total bases (72). He’s coming off a dominant week against Tacoma, going 10-for-22 (.455) with four doubles, two triples, one home run, and nine RBI. Ritter performed decently in the first series against Reno, going 6-for-24 (.250) with a double, a home run, and four RBI, while drawing a team-leading six walks. He’s been especially dangerous against left-handed pitching, slashing .353/.463/.794 with three doubles, four home runs, and nine RBI in just 34 at-bats. He’ll look to continue that momentum heading into this week’s set.

Cristian Mena is poised for a key outing against the Isotopes. In his previous start against Albuquerque, Mena endured his toughest outing of the season, giving up nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings. However, since that game, he’s rebounded well, allowing just three runs over his next 11 1/3 innings with 15 strikeouts and three walks. He also made a brief but impressive appearance with the Arizona Diamondbacks since then, tossing 3 2/3 no-hit innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers with one walk and five strikeouts. Mena enters this series coming off a dominant outing against Sugar Land, where he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out seven. His performance will be critical to Reno’s hopes this week.

The six-game homestand against the Albuquerque Isotopes begins Tuesday, May 20, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PST.

Single-game tickets for the Reno Aces’ 2025 season 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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