Reno to welcome Albuquerque for six-game slate

Aces are riding a three-game winning streak into Thursday’s opener

By Dylan Smith

June 16, 2021

RENO, Nev. – With a three-game winning streak in hand, the Reno Aces will look to extend its success when the Albuquerque Isotopes come to the Biggest Little City for a six-game set beginning on June 17. Reno is coming off three straight dominant performances to close out the series

RENO, Nev. – With a three-game winning streak in hand, the Reno Aces will look to extend its success when the Albuquerque Isotopes come to the Biggest Little City for a six-game set beginning on June 17.

Reno is coming off three straight dominant performances to close out the series with the Las Vegas Aviators. For the first time in franchise history, the Aces registered at least 15 tallies and 19 hits in three straight contests to close out the six-game slate, racking up 52 runs, 11 home runs and a slash line of .444/.519/.800.

The team’s 21-16 slugfest victory on June 14 marked the largest combined score (37) and most runs scored in a game across professional baseball.

Camden Duzenack, Matt Lipka and Josh VanMeter are coming off of a stellar weekend, each posting batting averages of .500 or over while recording 10 or more hits.

Duzenack put forth a 10-for-16 (.625) performance in three starts against Las Vegas, smacking three homers while recording seven runs scored and eight RBIs. Lipka racked up a team-high 14 hits in 24 at-bats while driving in seven RBIs. VanMeter led all Aces with 10 RBIs while posting a .500 batting average.

The Isotopes have won three of their last five ahead of Thursday’s meeting with the Aces, having lost four straight prior to its wins. Reno took the season series from Albuquerque in 2019, holding a 9-7 record.

No. 11-ranked prospect, according to Baseball America, Ryan Castellani is set to take the mound for Albuquerque at Greater Nevada Field. Through 10 starts this season, the 25-year-old right-hander holds a 1-2 record with a 3.65 ERA and 25 strikeouts. In his last start against the Aces, Castellani took the loss after allowing eight runs on five hits, three of which went over the outfield fence.

Former Ace and Diamondbacks’ mainstay will make his return to Greater Nevada Field. Arizona’s 2009 second-round draft pick spent 10 seasons within the organization before departing for Kansas City after the 2018 season. Owings has had a short stint in the Majors this season with Colorado, racking up eight hits in 15 at-bats (.533) with six runs scored and a trio of RBIs in seven games.

Former New York Yankees starting first baseman Greg Bird will also make his way to the Biggest Little City with Albuquerque. In 33 games this season, the 28-year-old is batting .222 with six home runs and 20 RBIs.

Wynton Bernard has been the Isotopes’ top hitter in 2021, slashing .309/.364/.494 with 14 runs scored and eight RBIs in 23 games.

Reno returns to Greater Nevada Field on Thursday to take on Albuquerque, beginning at 6:35 p.m. PT. Tomorrow’s game can be heard on renoaces.com or KPLY 630 AM locally with Jason Schwartz on the call.