Chris Ellis on his Unexpected Call to Reno: "I Wondered If He Butt-dialed Me or Something"
RENO, Nev. -- Chris Ellis was preparing to grub some pasta in his Talking Stick hotel room in Scottsdale when his phone buzzed. The effervescent 31-year-old from Alabama knew the Diamondbacks were interested in his services, but it hadn’t yet clicked why his former battery mate Blake Lalli called. He
RENO, Nev. -- Chris Ellis was preparing to grub some pasta in his Talking Stick hotel room in Scottsdale when his phone buzzed. The effervescent 31-year-old from Alabama knew the Diamondbacks were interested in his services, but it hadn’t yet clicked why his former battery mate Blake Lalli called. He hadn’t pitched in a professional game in over two years following surgery on his right pitching shoulder.
“I wondered if he butt-dialed me or something,” Ellis said, “He (Lalli) asked, ‘are you ready to come play for me?’”
Anxious to get back on a high-level mound, his response was an emphatic yes, followed by the most natural follow-up: “When am I leaving?”
Lalli told him he was flying out that night for a 4:05 p.m. start in Reno the following afternoon.
“I was so happy to see him,” Ellis said.
The two played together for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers in 2016. Ellis was a 23-year-old pitching prospect, while Lalli was a 33-year-old catcher, seasoned with 1,000 games in the minors and 32 more in the big leagues. Nearly a decade later, Lalli looked on as Ellis took the ball every fifth day for a club with championship aspirations.
Ellis started in a memorable and historic 8-7 walk-off Fourth of July victory, Reno's ninth win in a row, a franchise record.
"I still wear my Fourth of July Reno hat," he said proudly. I wear it golfing all the time."
The Diamondbacks released Ellis in late July after bouts of inconsistency. The ups and downs weren't a surprise, as it had been 734 days between professional appearances. He also posted some fantastic outings, highlighted by a PCL Pitcher of the Week honor after a seven-inning, seven-strikeout gem against the Round Rock Express in May.
Ellis pitched to a 9.09 ERA with Reno, the highest career mark. He said he views his results on the mound as "one of my worst years ever." He also said it was one of his most enjoyable years in baseball, thanks to a team that "just got along so well."
A driving factor in the 2024 Aces reaching the PCL Championship was steady leadership and experience. Ellis brought his 741 professional innings, magnetic friendliness, and humility to a group led by veterans Kyle Garlick, Bryson Brigman, and Albert Almora, who've played a combined 758 games in the big leagues and shared similar personality traits.
"I really just enjoyed my time there," he said, "I was thankful they gave me the amount of starts that they did, I was grateful for the Diamondbacks that they let me run with it."
For someone who has spent almost a decade in the minor leagues and has missed extended time due to injury, Ellis, now 32, is anything but cynical. He said the 2024 season taught him the power of not giving up.
"I don't think of myself as the old guy," he said, "I still play Call of Duty sometimes."
Ellis aims to bring his good vibes and tweaked new curveball back to the mound this season.
"I still have so much to give the game."
The Reno Aces will open the 2025 season on the road in Las Vegas on Friday, March 28. They will make their home debut at Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday, April 1, hosting the Tacoma Rainiers, the Seattle Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, at 2:05 p.m. PDT.
Season memberships for the 2025 season are available via RenoAces.com by texting "MEMBER" to 21003 or calling (775) 334-7000.
Reno Aces Announce Promotional Schedule for May
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces announced the club's May promotional schedule today for all 12 home games during the 2025 season's second full month. Individual Game tickets are currently on sale via RenoAces.com, or by texting "TIXX" to 21003. Special Events Dog Day presented by Sit Means Sit, NBC
Aces Drop Series Finale in Walk-Off Fashion to River Cats
Reno Aces (18-15) 2, Sacramento River Cats (16-17) 3 W: M. Diaz (1-1) L: K. Backhus (1-1) First pitch: 1:05 p.m. PST | Attendance: 5,621 | Time: 2:11 Sacramento, California – Sutter Health Park Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs Las Vegas, 5/6/25 at 11:05 a.m. PST
Reno's Bullpen Holds Down the River Cats Offense in 5-1 Victory
Reno Aces (18-14) 5, Sacramento River Cats (15-17) 1 W: C. Gomez (1-0) L: C. Seymour (1-3) First pitch: 6:38 p.m. PST | Attendance: 11,611 | Time: 2:24 Sacramento, California – Sutter Health Park Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Sacramento, 5/4/25 at 1:05 p.m. PST (RNO)
Aces Fall 3-2 to River Cats, Drop Seven-Game Winning Streak
Reno Aces (17-14) 2, Sacramento River Cats (15-16) 3 W: T. McDonald (2-1) L: Y. Diaz (0-2) S: K. Teng (1) First pitch: 6:49 p.m. PST | Attendance: 5,454 | Time: 2:17 Sacramento, California – Sutter Health Park Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Sacramento, 5/3/25 at
Amendt Shuts the Door on Sacramento in Extras, Reno Extends Winning Streak to Seven Games
Reno Aces (17-13) 3, Sacramento River Cats (14-16) 2 W: C. Montes De Oca (1-0) L: A. Jimenez (1-2) S: K. Amendt (1) First pitch: 6:47 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,799 | Time: 2:23 Sacramento, California – Sutter Health Park Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Sacramento,
Aces Extend Winning Streak to Six Games, Pummel River Cats 16-6
Reno Aces (16-13) 16, Sacramento River Cats (14-15) 6 W: J. Brigham (4-1) L: J. Garza (1-2) First pitch: 6:48 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,783 | Time: 3:05 Sacramento, California – Sutter Health Park Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Sacramento, 5/1/25 at 6:45 p.m. PST (RNO)
Mancini’s Grand Slam, Mena’s Dominance Fuel 7-3 Victory in Series Opener vs. Sacramento
Reno Aces (15-13) 7, Sacramento River Cats (14-14) 3 W: C. Mena (2-3) L: M. Black (0-2) First pitch: 12:05 p.m. PST | Attendance: 3,568 | Time: 2:45 Sacramento, California – Sutter Health Park Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Sacramento, 4/30/25 at 6:45 p.m. PST (RNO)
Aces Take Four-Game Winning Streak into Road Trip at Sacramento
RENO, Nev. – Following a two-week homestand, the Reno Aces (14-13) will hit the road and travel to Sacramento to take on the River Cats (14-13), the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The six-game series kicks off on Tuesday, April 29, with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
Aces Win Four Straight to Seal Series Victory Over Albuquerque
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (14-13) took down the Albuquerque Isotopes (11-16), the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, winning four of six games this past week at Greater Nevada Field. The Isotopes opened the series with back-to-back wins, but the Aces stormed back with four straight victories to
Henry Shines, Aces Put Away Isotopes 8-2 in Series Finale
Reno Aces (14-13) 8, Albuquerque Isotopes (11-16) 2 W: T. Rashi (2-1) L: R. Rolison (2-1) First pitch: 1:05 p.m. PST | Attendance: 4,196 | Time: 2:38 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Sacramento, 4/9/25 at 12:05 p.m. PST (RNO) TBD
Alexander Goes Yard Twice, Aces Cruise Past Isotopes 11-1
Reno Aces (13-13) 11, Albuquerque Isotopes (11-14) 1 W: J. Mantiply (1-0) L: J. O’Loughlin (1-2) First pitch: 4:06 p.m. PST | Attendance: 4,040 | Time: 2:29 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Albuquerque, 4/27/25 at 1:05 p.m. PST (ABQ) LHP
Vukovich’s Two-Homer, Six-RBI Night Powers Reno to 17-11 Win vs. Albuquerque
Reno Aces (12-13) 17, Albuquerque Isotopes (11-14) 11 W: B. Corcoran (2-3) L: A. Quezada (0-1) First pitch: 6:06 p.m. PST | Attendance: 5,146 | Time: 3:03 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Albuquerque, 4/26/25 at 4:05 p.m. PST (ABQ) RHP
Mancini’s Late-Inning Knock Lifts Silver Sox Over Isotopes in 8-7 Win
Reno Silver Sox (11-13) 8, Albuquerque Isotopes (11-13) 7 W: S. McGough (1-0) L: J. Yan (1-3) First pitch: 11:06 a.m. PST | Attendance: 4,414 | Time: 3:13 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Albuquerque, 4/25/25 at 6:05 p.m. PST (ABQ)
Reno Outclassed by Albuquerque in 18-3 Loss
Reno Aces (10-13) 3, Albuquerque Isotopes (11-12) 18 W: T. Gordon (1-1) L: C. Mena (1-3) First pitch: 6:08 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,467 | Time: 2:54 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Albuquerque, 4/24/25 at 11:05 a.m. PST (ABQ) LHP
Reno Drops Series Opener in 6-4 Loss to Albuquerque
Reno Aces (10-12) 4, Albuquerque Isotopes (10-12) 6 W: D. Darnell (2-0) L: T. Henry (0-4) S: D. Castillo (1) First pitch: 6:05 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,302 | Time: 2:51 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Albuquerque, 4/23/25 at 6:05
Aces Welcome Isotopes for Six-Game Set at Greater Nevada Field
RNO, Nev. – After dropping four of six to the Round Rock Express, the Reno Aces (10–11) will now host the Albuquerque Isotopes—the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies—for the second half of a 12-game homestand at Greater Nevada Field. The six-game series is set to begin on Tuesday, April
Aces Drop Six-Game Homestand to Round Rock Despite Monster Week from Lawlar
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (10-11) dropped their six-game homestand to the Round Rock Express (11-10), the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, this week at Greater Nevada Field. The Express took four out of six matchups from the Aces. Reno opened the series with a bang in Tuesday’s
Reno Drops Series Finale vs. Round Rock in Extra-Inning Battle
Reno Aces (10-11) 8, Round Rock Express (11-10) 9 W: M. Plassmeyer (1-0) L: T. Rashi (1-1) First pitch: 1:06 p.m. PST | Attendance: 4,004 | Time: 3:35 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Albuquerque, 4/22/25 at 6:05 p.m. PST (ABQ)
Third-Inning Eruption Propels Aces Past Express in 11-3 Win
Reno Aces (10-9) 11, Round Rock Express (9-10) 3 W: J. Brigham (3-1) L: G. Garabito (0-2) First pitch: 6:06 p.m. PST | Attendance: 4.314 | Time: 3:01 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/19/25 at 4:05 p.m. (PST)
Greater Nevada Field Set to Host Three Vitalant Blood Drives This Season
RENO, Nev. – Throughout the 2025 season, the Reno Aces and Vitalant will host three blood drives at Greater Nevada Field beginning on Tuesday, April 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be two additional days of blood drives at the ballpark on August 19-20 before the Aces’
Reno Aces Announce Jersey Set for 2025 Season
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces have announced their jersey lineup for the 2025 season featuring a new off-white (sail) uniform set to serve as the team’s primary home jersey. The new navy and red jerseys are available for purchase in the team store now while the sail jerseys are
Lawlar Stays Hot, Aces Fail to Hold Off Express in 8-4 Loss
Reno Aces (10-10) 4, Round Rock Express (10-10) 8 W: M. Festa (2-0) L: B. Corcoran (1-3) First pitch: 4:06 p.m. PST | Attendance: 3,875 | Time: 2:56 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/20/25 at 1:05 p.m. (PST)
Aces Unable to Hold Off Express in 7-2 Defeat
Reno Aces (9-9) 2, Round Rock Express (9-9) 7 W: D. Dunning (1-0) L. C. Mena (1-2) First pitch: 6:06 p.m. PST | Attendance: 3,233 | Time: 2:30 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/18/25 at 6:05 p.m. (PST)
Aces’ Late-Inning Rally Comes Up Short in 8-7 Loss to Express
eno Aces (9-8) 7, Round Rock Express (8-9) 8 W: A. Houser (1-0) L: T. Henry (0-3) S: D. Robert (1) First pitch: 12:09 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,368 | Time: 2:47 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/17/25
Pinto’s Walk-Off Homer Powers Reno to Dramatic 5-4 Win over Round Rock
Reno Aces (9-7) 5, Round Rock Express (7-9) 4 W: J. Brigham L. H. Strickland First pitch: 6:0 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,465 | Time: 2:29 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/16/25 at 12:05 p.m. (PST) (RNO) LHP