RENO, Nev. – Coming off their second consecutive series split, the Reno Aces return to Greater Nevada Field for the final time in 2026 to host six games with the Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, beginning on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. PT.
The Aces took three of the first four last week against Sugar Land but never could find the victory to give them the set win. It was still an impressive start for the Aces, taking game one with a 10-0 shutout decision before snatching a pair of close victories in games two and four.
Reno and Albuquerque have met only one time this season in the second series of the campaign, with the Aces taking four of six from the Isotopes in their own home park. Included in that set was an 8-1 game one victory before the Aces earned a slim 1-0 shutout victory in game two. Reno then logged another shutout thanks to an 8-0 final in game four and closed the series behind a 3-2 win in the finale.
Albuquerque went on to finish the first half in solid position, ending 39-36 which was good enough for fifth place at 6.0 games behind the first half champion Las Vegas Aviators. However, they have not had the same success in the second half as they are just 28-35, leaving them in eighth place behind the Aces at 11.0 games back of Oklahoma City and Sugar Land with only 12 to play.
Though it is a small sample size, Reno’s 1.73 ERA against the Isotopes is their best against any opponent, and the only team in which they have logged a sub-4.00 ERA. Reno pitchers punched out 55 in those six games with Albuquerque, and Reno’s 2.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio is their second best of any opponent behind only the 2.40 mark they have logged against Sugar Land.
However, hitting has been a different story as the Aces won four of six from Albuquerque despite logging their lowest batting average of any of the nine opponents they have played this year. Reno’s .209 average against the Isotopes is far behind their next highest mark of .231 they have against the Space Cowboys. Reno hit just one homer in that early season series, logged just a .588 OPS, and scored 11 runs, al of which are their fewest against any opponent this season.
In the second half the Isotopes have been middle-of-the-road when it comes to hitting as their .275 batting average ranks sixth of 10 PCL teams, but there is a logjam in the middle as the Aces also have a .275 average in the second half while ranking fourth of 10. Albuquerque has been slugging home runs like crazy, as their 78 dingers since June 23 ranks second in the PCL, as does their 380 runs scored.
Pitching is much the same in this second half for the Isotopes as their 5.69 ERA ranks sixth of 10 PCL squads and sits one spot ahead of the Aces, who rank seventh with a 5.79 ERA. Unfortunately for Albuquerque, their 464 strikeouts is last of all 10 PCL teams in this half, but they have countered that by allowing the second fewest amount of home runs (59).
On an individual level of those with 75 or more plate appearances in the PCL, Zac Veen had been leading the way with a .329 batting average, 15 doubles, 13 homers, and a 1.137 OPS. However, he was selected by Colorado in early August and has not played with the Isotopes since Aug. 9. That leaves Sterlin Thompson as the Isotope with the highest average in the second half by hitting .310 with nine doubles, six homers, 26 RBI, and a .978 OPS.
Of the PCL starters with 25 or more innings pitched in the second half, Jake Brooks has posted the best ERA with a 5.14 but is only 1-4 in that time with 36 strikeouts to 13 walks over 11 outings. Jack Mahoney is not far behind, posting a 5.47 ERA despite going 0-1 in six starts with 23 punchouts to 15 walks.
After MLB Pipeline’s mid-season adjustment, the Isotopes boast four of Colorado’s top-30 prospects, all of whom are led by their No. 3 prospect Charlie Condon. The corner infielder and outfielder has batted .275 this season in 119 games, scoring a total of 99 runs to go along with 23 doubles, seven triples, 25 home runs, 90 RBI, and a .912 OPS.
This series gets underway from Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday, Sept. 8 beginning at 6:05 p.m. PT.
Single-game and season tickets are currently on sale for the 2026 season. For more information, fans can visit RenoAces.com or call the ticket office at (775) 334-7000.