Reno Aces clinch Pacific Coast League championship berth

Riding the momentum of a 10-game winning streak that started the second half of the 2024 season, the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have secured a spot in the Pacific Coast League Championship.

The Aces have won five of their last six games, including a pivotal victory against the Albuquerque Isotopes on Wednesday that helped sealed their postseason berth. José Barrosa led the charge with a three-run home run in the second inning, setting the tone early. Adrian Del Castillo, who made his major league debut earlier this year, followed up with a two-run shot in the third inning to extend Reno’s lead.

Later that night, the Aces’ playoff bid was officially clinched when the Las Vegas Aviators lost their game, solidifying Reno’s place in the championship.

The Aces, currently holding a 41-29 record, have four regular-season games remaining before they face the Sugar Land Space Cowboys—the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate—in a best-of-three PCL Championship series starting September 24. Reno will be aiming for their second title in three years and the third in the club’s history.

During the regular season, Reno struggled against Sugar Land, going 4-8 in head-to-head matchups. They split one six-game series 3-3 and lost the other 1-5.

Despite their ups and downs, the Aces have consistently boasted the top offense in the Pacific Coast League. Kyle Garlick leads the league in RBIs and ranks second in home runs with 28. Albert Almora tops the PCL in hits, while Adrian Del Castillo leads in slugging percentage. Reno’s offensive ability is further highlighted by their league-leading .286 team batting average, ranking second in runs scored and last in strikeouts.

The Aces’ success is particularly impressive given the absence of the Diamondbacks’ top two prospects, Jordan Lawlar and Druw Jones, who have been mainly out by injuries since being drafted in the first round.

After clinching their postseason spot, the Aces celebrated with a champagne shower in the locker room. Adrian Del Castillo emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment, saying, “Like I keep saying, we gotta go out there and have fun every day.”