Reno’s Playoff Hope Stay Alive with Series Win at Albuquerque

Reno, Nev. – The Reno Aces (35-28, 79-59) remain in the Pacific Coast League playoff hunt after a road series win over the Albuquerque Isotopes (33-30, 60-78), Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, last week at Isotopes Park.

Jordan Lawlar, who entered the game hitting .349 with a .951 OPS since his promotion from Double-A Amarillo, set the tone immediately in game one with his first of two bombs in the top of the first. MLB’s Top 10 Prospect dug in again in the third and smashed another tater to deep left-center field. Reno held on tight for a series-opening 7-6 victory. Kyle Lewis continued to mash with two run-scoring hits, an RBI double in the third, and a sacrifice fly in the seventh. Lewis went 5-for-12 with four doubles and two walks through the series' first three games.

Lawlar impressed the Diamondbacks enough to earn a promotion to Arizona mid-series. The 21-year-old has had a fantastic second half, combining his elite athleticism with light tower power and blazing speed. Lawlar hit .358 with a 1.049 OPS in his short time with the BLC Nine, bopping five homers in 16 games. The former No. 6 overall pick is the eighth player to debut from the first-round class of 2021 and the third-highest draft pick from the group to make the majors, joining Pittsburgh’s Henry Davis (No. 1) and Baltimore’s Colton Cowser (No. 5).

One week after recording his 1,000th Minor League hit, Phillip Evans played a key role in Wednesday’s 7-5 victory. Evans crushed a three-run homer that was the difference in a tight contest. The forceful hitter nicknamed “Barrel” sent a blast to deep center to give the Aces a six-run advantage in the sixth, providing ample support for the surging bullpen. Austin Pope tallied his second straight save in as many tries, thanks in no small part to a monumental double play ball in the ninth.

Jake McCarthy, the defending PCL Player of the Week, delivered a memorable 4-for-5, three-steal performance in a resounding triumph Thursday night. McCarthy’s immense production from the leadoff spot has been vital for the surging Aces, especially after losing Dominic Fletcher to a season-ending injury. McCarthy, Ali Sánchez, and Evans homered in Reno’s fourth straight win. Tristin English drove in two runs on three singles, while Blaze Alexander and Kyle Lewis combined for five hits and four doubles.

The weekend was less rosy but finished with a bang. The Aces dropped two in a row and trailed in Sunday’s finale before a heroic hack from English. The slugger hit a clutch three-run homer in the seventh to guide the BLC Nine to victory. Austin Pope, Justin Martínez, and José Ruiz were perfect in the final three innings in relief to lock it down and secure the series win.

The Aces’ final home series begins Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. PT from Greater Nevada Field.

Tickets for the set at www.RenoAces.com or by texting TIXX to 21003. The Aces complete their season in Las Vegas against the Aviators from Tuesday, September 19th to Sunday, September 24th. Thank you for a fantastic season!

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