Aces Tie Franchise Record for Home Wins in Final Homestand of the Season

Reno, Nev.: The Reno Aces (39-30, 83-61) completed an outstanding home schedule and tied the franchise record for most home victories in a season, with a series win over the Salt Lake Bees (29-40, 66-77), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, last week at Greater Nevada Field.

Reno battled in game one but couldn't overcome an 8-0 hole despite a valiant effort. The BLC Nine slowly chipped away at the deficit throughout the game. Tristin English drove in Jorge Barrosa as part of a three-run third. Sergio Alcántara singled home Diego Castillo before David Martin, in his Triple-A debut, added an RBI knock of his own. Barrosa blasted his 11th homer of the year with two outs in the sixth, a no-doubt shot to the berm in right. The promising young outfielder went 2-for-4 with the long ball out of the leadoff spot, a post he took as Jake McCarthy joined the Diamondbacks after winning back-to-back PCL Player of the Week awards.

It was a remarkable evening at the plate for the Aces in a game two-win Wednesday night. Salt Lake's pitching staff issued 13 walks and hit another batter, ultimately losing the strike zone for most of the night. The Aces strung together eight hits but had threats in nearly every inning due to outstanding plate discipline. Reno got run-scoring knocks from Adrian Del Castillo, Tristin English, and Diego Castillo.

Tyler Ferguson started in a bullpen game and delivered two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Ferguson gave way to a litany of additional high-powered Aces arms featuring Tyler Gilbert, Bryce Jarvis, Mitchell Stumpo, and Stephen Nogosek. The bullpen has become a shining strength for the Aces down the stretch. The arm barn struck out 10 Bees en route to tying the series at one game apiece.

In his return to the Biggest Little City, Slade Cecconi struck out five over 5 2/3 innings in a game-three win Thursday night. The towering right-hander had everything working, pairing a mid to upper-90s fastball with a devastating array of swing-and-miss weapons. Del Castillo broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth with a two-run single to left. Reno's backstop added another insurance run with an RBI double in the sixth, scoring Blaze Alexander, who reached three times in the win. Del Castillo went seven for his first 13 in the series with a homer and two doubles. Tristin English mashed his 15th Triple-A homer in the eighth on an absolute missile to left center field.

Pavin Smith smashed his 6th homer of the year in the bottom of the first Saturday night, quickly giving Reno a 1-0 advantage. Salt Lake struck back with three runs in the top of the fourth before another Aces' onslaught in the bottom of the frame. Adrian Del Castillo doubled home two, Sergio Alcántara drove in a run, and Smith knocked in another as part of a five-run inning.

After driving in three runs Saturday, Smith walloped Salt Lake again in Sunday's drubbing. Smith smacked four hits, including a three-run homer in the second. Smith, Jorge Barrosa, and Phillip Evans all homered on a fabulous offensive afternoon. Evans reached three times while Barrosa had another multi-hit effort. The first four hitters in the Aces order went 8-for-13 with a double and three homers. It was a raucous finale at Greater Nevada Field as the BLC Nine set its sights on a potential PCL Championship Series berth.

The Aces' bullpen was reliable once again in the win. Stephen Nogosek, Kyle Backhus, Austin Pope, and Justin Martínez combined for 3 1/3 one-run innings with three strikeouts and only one walk.

Reno completes its 2023 regular season against the Las Vegas Aviators at Las Vegas Ballpark this week. The critical series begins Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. PT.

Next season’s home opener is set for Tuesday, April 2^nd, 2024, as the Aces will host the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, in a six-game series.

Season Memberships for the 2024 season are now available via RenoAces.com, texting “MEMBER” to 21003, or calling (775) 334-7000.

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