RENO, Nev. – Coming off a series in which they found success later in the series while receiving mostly sharp starting pitching, the Reno Aces move their focus to the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, as they start a six-game set beginning on Tuesday at 11:05 a.m. PT.
Of last week’s six games, five of the six were decided by three runs or fewer, which included a pair of one-run wins for the Aces on May 22 and May 23. LuJames Groover had the best average of the week for the Aces, hitting .421 with two runs scored, a trio of doubles, and a 1.055 OPS. Luis Urías have a big series, finishing with Reno’s second-best average at .368 while scoring four runs, hitting a homer, and driving in five RBI.
This week marks the second meeting with Sacramento in the month of May, as the Aces went into California’s capitol from May 5-10 and left with a series split. Reno shut out Sacramento in the series opener, 4-0, but saw the River Cats enact revenge by winning games two and three.
The Aces reversed the tables by winning games four and five by a combined three runs, which included a one-run victory by a 2-1 margin on May 8, but the River Cats avoided the series loss by snatching the series finale on May 10 with a 9-7 decision.
That series split means the Aces still trail the River Cats in the all-time series, with Sacramento leading by a 155-148 (.488) margin. Sacramento is now one of two opponents that Reno has faced 300 or more times in franchise history, the other being Reno’s Silver State rival Las Vegas whom the Aces have also played 303 times.
Part of that is due to pitching, as Reno’s 5.65 ERA all-time against Sacramento is their third highest of any opponent in their franchise history with 25 or more games against. The Aces have found some success without their strikeout stuff, as the 2,465 strikeouts are Reno’s most against any team in franchise history. However, there have also been areas of concern as the River Cats have hit 407 homers against Reno, which is also the most in Aces history.
Meanwhile, Reno is batting just .275 in team history against the River Cats which ranks just 14th of the 18 opponents that Reno has played 25 or more times. While the Aces have slugged 317 homers, one of four opponents that Reno has slugged 300 or more homers against, the Aces have struck out on 2,510 instances which is the most in franchise history (also franchise record walks drawn with 1,220).
Since the Aces last met the River Cats, Sacramento has won nine of their last 12 games with series wins over Round Rock (five games to one) and Sugar Land (4-2). Those nine wins are tied for the most in the Pacific Coast League and tied for third in all Triple-A.
In that time, the River Cats are hitting .295 as a team which ranks just fourth in the PCL while their 91 runs are third, but they are just three runs shy of PCL-leading Oklahoma City (94). Long balls have been key in Sacramento’s success, as their 16 home runs lead the PCL and are ninth in all Triple-A in that time.
Pitching has continued to be a bright spot for the River Cats, as their 3.36 ERA over those two weeks is a PCL best while ranking third in all Triple-A despite tying for the fifth most innings pitched. As a unit the River Cats have punched out 105 hitters, third most in the PCL and 12th in Triple-A, and their 1.98 strikeout-to-walk ratio is second in the PCL and 13th in Triple-A.
Part of that success came from left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, who has made two starts and allowed only one earned run on 10 hits in 10.1 innings for a 0.73 ERA. The 2025 PCL Pitcher of the Year is back to his old trick this year as he is 4-2 with a 3.32 ERA and 49 strikeouts to 21 walks.
Hitting has also been on fire these past two weeks, as nine different players who have donned a River Cats jersey are hitting above the .300 mark, which includes three that have totaled 10 or more RBI. Tops among those is Drew Cavanaugh, who has driven in 11 on six doubles and a pair of homers while hitting .353.
Not far behind him is Osleivis Basabe at .324 with five doubles and 10 RBI, while the recently promoted Aeverson Arteaga, who has 10 RBI while batting .306.
This series gets underway on Tuesday at Greater Nevada Field beginning at 11:05 a.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.