RENO, Nev. – Before the season takes a breather with the All-Star Break, the Reno Aces look to ride the momentum of their series win last week when they welcome to town the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, for a six-game set beginning on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. PT.
Reno took four of six games last week against the Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Northwest, their first time winning a series at Cheney Stadium since they were victors in five of seven games from May 9-14, 2023 (doubleheader on May 10).
Mitch Bratt was the brightest of spots for the Aces last week as he started two of the six games and did not allow a run on six hits over eight innings, striking out nine with only two walks. The bullpen was also great, working to a 3-0 record while logging just a 2.10 ERA (six earned runs, 25.2 innings) with 22 strikeouts.
At the dish there was a trio of Aces that hit above the .300 line, though only two had three or more at-bat sin Tyler Locklear (.318) and Kristian Robinson (.313). The former of the two tallied a team-best seven knocks, one of which was his triple while drawing three walks. Meanwhile, Robinson homered once and drove in four while working three free passes.
Round Rock and Reno have yet to meet so far this season, but they will be quite familiar with each other by the end of the month as these two teams will battle once more in the final week of July. It’s a close battle in the all-time series between the two teams, but one that Express hold the advantage in by a 46-44 (.489) margin. Of the 10 teams that have 90 or more shared games with Reno in Aces history, the 44 wins are Reno’s fewest of any opponent.
The Aces have not won a season series with the Express since taking four of six games in 2021, and they have only tied their season matchups once (2023) in the four seasons since 2022 with a combined record of 18-23 (.439)
Despite the lack of wins, it has not been for a lack of pitching as Reno’s 5.21 ERA is their second-best ERA of any opponent with 90 or more games played, trailing only the 4.76 ERA they have compiled against Albuquerque.
While the lack of games compared to other opponents keeps their totals near the bottom, Reno’s 20.8 percent strikeout rate when pitching against Round Rock is also the second best among the 10 opponents with 90 or more games. The same can be said for Reno’s walk-to-strikeout rate, as it is their second best against any of those 10 opponents.
However, hitting has not had the same success as Reno’s .273 batting average against the Express is their second lowest against any opponent with 90 or more games played. Even further, the Aces have bottom three marks in on-base percentage (.350), slugging (.431), and runs per game (5.53) while ranking sixth of 10 in strikeout rate (19.0 percent).
During the first half the Express finished 31-44 (.432), a mark that was last of all 10 teams in the Pacific Coast League. However, Round Rock has captured wins in seven of their first 12 games in the second half, taking four of six at Tacoma from Juen 23-28 before splitting a set of six against Albuquerque last week.
Round Rock has scored six or more runs in seven of those games despite posting just the sixth-best batting average in the PCL during that span, hitting just .243 with a .330 on-base percentage (ninth in PCL). However, Round Rock’s 62 runs are fifth while their 38 extra-base hits are fourth.
The Express also find themselves in the bottom half of ERA in these first 12 games of the second half, logging a 5.43 ERA with only 91 strikeouts (ninth in PCL). Jose Corniell has been the best starter in this stretch, working two games while posting only a 2.57 ERA which is 10th of the 37 PCL pitchers who have made at least two starts.
Checking in with the best individual batting average of the Express in this time (minimum 20 plate appearances) is Aaron Zavala, as his .311 mark ranks 25th of the PCL hitters under those criteria. Zavala has been a run producer, driving in 10 during that time thanks to a pair of doubles and a homer. Austin Wynns trails not far behind, hitting exactly .300 with a double, a homer, and five RBI.
Round Rock boasts only three of Texas’ top-30 prospects, all of which are pitchers that are led by Corniell at No. 4. Just behind him is right-hander Winston Santos at No. 5, while fellow righty Emiliano Teodo checks in at No. 17. So far this season Teodo has made 33 appearances and has worked to a 3-3 record with a 3.76 ERA.
This series begins on Tuesday at Greater Nevada Field with first pitch set for 6:35 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.