Nick Ahmed Sends the Reno Aces to the Playoffs

Nick Ahmed’s 10th inning single out the Triple A Reno Aces into the playoffs. Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks may not be enjoying much success on the field in 2014 but that doesn’t mean their farm teams haven’t. The Double A Mobile BayBears captured another division title. And yesterday, the Triple A Reno Aces won the Pacific Coast League’s Northern Division title in a 2-1, ten inning thriller over the Sacramento River Cats. Shortstop Nick Ahmed, who spent time with the D’backs earlier in the season, delivered the game-winning single on an 0-2 count with two outs in the inning.

Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-2

Yanks Go Yard

Indians: 6 prospects that completely impressed during the 2021 seasonFactory of Sadness

Phillies poach Padres up-and-comer Preston Mattingly to head up player developmentThat Balls Outta Here

Phillies deny attempting to silence minor leaguers after demonstrationThat Balls Outta Here

SF Giants farm system: Updated top 31 prospect rankingsAround the Foghorn

SF Giants promote hot-hitting prospect Jairo Pomares to High-AAround the Foghorn

Reno’s Charles Brewer pitched six shutout innings and departed with a 1-0 thanks to a Blake Lalli fifth inning single, driving in Roger Kieschnick. The Cats got on the board in the seventh when Shane Peterson doubled off the right field wall. The ball was bobbled by Reno outfielder Brett Jackson and Chris Owings‘ subsequent attempt to get Peterson out at third resulted in a wide throw to the bag allowing Peterson to score the tying run. Relievers Joe Paterson and Kevin Munson kept Sacramento scoreless until the bottom of the 10th when Jake Barrett came in to close out the win. Barrett made it interesting as he walked two batters sandwiched  around an out before inducing Daric Barton into a game-ending double play.

Ahmed and fellow infielder Andy Marte were named PCL All-Stars over the weekend. Ahmed had a fine offensive season hitting .312 with an on-base percentage of .373. He has put himself in the conversation to be the starting Arizona shortstop in 2015. Marte was second on the Aces with 80 RBI’s while batting .329 with a .388 on-base percentage.

Reno plays the Las Vegas 51’s, the Southern Division winner, in a best-of-five series beginning Wednesday evening in Vegas. The first home game is Friday night with Games 4 and 5, if necessary, will be played at Aces Ballpark Saturday and Sunday.