Chris Ellis on his Unexpected Call to Reno: "I Wondered If He Butt-dialed Me or Something"
RENO, Nev. -- Chris Ellis was preparing to grub some pasta in his Talking Stick hotel room in Scottsdale when his phone buzzed. The effervescent 31-year-old from Alabama knew the Diamondbacks were interested in his services, but it hadn’t yet clicked why his former battery mate Blake Lalli called. He
RENO, Nev. -- Chris Ellis was preparing to grub some pasta in his Talking Stick hotel room in Scottsdale when his phone buzzed. The effervescent 31-year-old from Alabama knew the Diamondbacks were interested in his services, but it hadn’t yet clicked why his former battery mate Blake Lalli called. He hadn’t pitched in a professional game in over two years following surgery on his right pitching shoulder.
“I wondered if he butt-dialed me or something,” Ellis said, “He (Lalli) asked, ‘are you ready to come play for me?’”
Anxious to get back on a high-level mound, his response was an emphatic yes, followed by the most natural follow-up: “When am I leaving?”
Lalli told him he was flying out that night for a 4:05 p.m. start in Reno the following afternoon.
“I was so happy to see him,” Ellis said.
The two played together for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers in 2016. Ellis was a 23-year-old pitching prospect, while Lalli was a 33-year-old catcher, seasoned with 1,000 games in the minors and 32 more in the big leagues. Nearly a decade later, Lalli looked on as Ellis took the ball every fifth day for a club with championship aspirations.
Ellis started in a memorable and historic 8-7 walk-off Fourth of July victory, Reno's ninth win in a row, a franchise record.
"I still wear my Fourth of July Reno hat," he said proudly. I wear it golfing all the time."
The Diamondbacks released Ellis in late July after bouts of inconsistency. The ups and downs weren't a surprise, as it had been 734 days between professional appearances. He also posted some fantastic outings, highlighted by a PCL Pitcher of the Week honor after a seven-inning, seven-strikeout gem against the Round Rock Express in May.
Ellis pitched to a 9.09 ERA with Reno, the highest career mark. He said he views his results on the mound as "one of my worst years ever." He also said it was one of his most enjoyable years in baseball, thanks to a team that "just got along so well."
A driving factor in the 2024 Aces reaching the PCL Championship was steady leadership and experience. Ellis brought his 741 professional innings, magnetic friendliness, and humility to a group led by veterans Kyle Garlick, Bryson Brigman, and Albert Almora, who've played a combined 758 games in the big leagues and shared similar personality traits.
"I really just enjoyed my time there," he said, "I was thankful they gave me the amount of starts that they did, I was grateful for the Diamondbacks that they let me run with it."
For someone who has spent almost a decade in the minor leagues and has missed extended time due to injury, Ellis, now 32, is anything but cynical. He said the 2024 season taught him the power of not giving up.
"I don't think of myself as the old guy," he said, "I still play Call of Duty sometimes."
Ellis aims to bring his good vibes and tweaked new curveball back to the mound this season.
"I still have so much to give the game."
The Reno Aces will open the 2025 season on the road in Las Vegas on Friday, March 28. They will make their home debut at Greater Nevada Field on Tuesday, April 1, hosting the Tacoma Rainiers, the Seattle Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, at 2:05 p.m. PDT.
Season memberships for the 2025 season are available via RenoAces.com by texting "MEMBER" to 21003 or calling (775) 334-7000.
Reno Aces Announce Promotional Schedule for May
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces announced the club's May promotional schedule today for all 12 home games during the 2025 season's second full month. Individual Game tickets are currently on sale via RenoAces.com, or by texting "TIXX" to 21003. Special Events Dog Day presented by Sit Means Sit, NBC
Aces’ Late-Inning Rally Comes Up Short in 8-7 Loss to Express
eno Aces (9-8) 7, Round Rock Express (8-9) 8 W: A. Houser (1-0) L: T. Henry (0-3) S: D. Robert (1) First pitch: 12:09 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,368 | Time: 2:47 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/17/25
Pinto’s Walk-Off Homer Powers Reno to Dramatic 5-4 Win over Round Rock
Reno Aces (9-7) 5, Round Rock Express (7-9) 4 W: J. Brigham L. H. Strickland First pitch: 6:0 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,465 | Time: 2:29 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/16/25 at 12:05 p.m. (PST) (RNO) LHP
Aces Return to Greater Nevada Field for Six-Game Series Against Round Rock
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (8–7) will return to Greater Nevada Field after splitting a six-game road series against the Salt Lake Bees. Reno will host the Round Rock Express (7–8), the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, for a six-game series beginning Tuesday, April 15. First pitch is
Aces Trade Blows with Bees, Split Six-Game Road Series in Salt Lake
RENO, Nev. – Following a competitive series, the Reno Aces (8-7) split their six-game set against the Salt Lake Bees (7-8), the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, this past week at The Ballpark at America First Square. Reno secured its first win of the series in comeback fashion
Lawlar and Vukovich Mash Reno to 6-1 Win Over Salt Lake in Series Finale
Reno Aces (8-7) 6, Salt Lake Bees (7-8) 1 W: B. Corcoran (1-2) L: S. Anderson (0-3) First pitch: 11:06 a.m. PST | Attendance: 3,852 | Time: 2:40 Salt Lake, Utah - The Ballpark at America First Square Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs. Round Rock, 4/15/25
Greater Nevada Field Set to Host Three Vitalant Blood Drives This Season
RENO, Nev. – Throughout the 2025 season, the Reno Aces and Vitalant will host three blood drives at Greater Nevada Field beginning on Tuesday, April 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be two additional days of blood drives at the ballpark on August 19-20 before the Aces’
Aces Put on Offensive Show in Dominant 20-7 Victory Over Bees
Aces Put on Offensive Show in Dominant 20-7 Victory Over Bees Reno Aces (7-7) 20, Salt Lake Bees (7-7) 7 W: T. Rashi (1-0) L: B. Kerry (1-1) First pitch: 12:08 p.m. PST | Attendance: 3,906 | Time: 3:23 Salt Lake, Utah - The Ballpark at America First Square Click
Reno Falls Flat in 5-2 Loss vs. Salt Lake
Reno Aces (6-7) 2, Salt Lake Bees (7-6) 5 W: C. Dana (1-1) L: C. Mena (1-1) First pitch: 5:37 p.m. PST | Attendance: 4,321 | Time:2:45 Salt Lake, Utah - The Ballpark at America First Square Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Salt Lake, 4/12/25 at
Lawlar Goes Yard in 6-3 Loss vs. Salt Lake
Reno Aces (6-6) 3, Salt Lake Bees (6-6) 6 W: M. Eria (1-1) L: T. Henry (0-2) S: T. Toussaint (1) First pitch: 5:37 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2.791 | Time: 2:40 Salt Lake, Utah - The Ballpark at America First Square Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out:
Aces Launch Three Home Runs in Late Comeback Victory vs. Salt Lake
Reno Aces (6-5) 6, Salt Lake Bees (5-6) 2 W: K. Backhus (1-0) L: C. Brogdon (0-1) First pitch: 5:39 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,725 | Time: 3:04 Salt Lake, Utah - The Ballpark at America First Square Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Salt Lake, 4/10/25
Reno Drops Series Opener vs. Salt Lake Despite Late Comeback
Reno Aces (5-5) 10, Salt Lake Bees (5-5) 13 W: K. Yovan L: B. Corcoran (0-2) First pitch: 5:37 p.m. PST | Attendance: 6,844 | Time: 3:26 Salt Lake, Utah - The Ballpark at America First Square Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Salt Lake, 4/9/25 at
Aces Head to Salt Lake after Strong Homestand, Set for Six-Game Showdown vs Bees
RENO, Nev. – After a successful first homestand against the Tacoma Rainiers, the Reno Aces (5-4) are now on their way to Salt Lake, where they will take on the Bees (4-5), the Triple-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The six-game series will kick off on Tuesday, April 8,
Aces Claim First Series Victory of 2025 in Homestand vs the Tacoma Rainiers
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (5-4) have hit the ground running in 2025, securing their first series victory after coming out on top in four out of six matchups against the Tacoma Rainiers (5-4), the Seattle Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, this week at Greater Nevada Field. The BLC-Nine came out
Reno’s Offense Erupts for 13 Runs in Series Finale vs Tacoma
Reno Aces (5-4) 13, Tacoma Rainiers (5-4) 8 W: B. Bielak (1-0) L: J. Diaz (0-1) First pitch: 1:06 p.m. PST | Attendance: 4,802 | Time: 3:02 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Salt Lake, 4/8/25 at 5:35 p.m. (PST) (RNO)
Mena Dazzles on the Mound as Reno Tops Tacoma 6-1
Reno Aces (4-4) 6, Tacoma Rainiers (5-3) 1 W: C. Mena (1-0) L: E. Hancock (0-1) First pitch: 4:11 p.m. PST | Attendance: 3,370 | Time: 2:24 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs Tacoma, 4/6/25 at 1:05 p.m. (PST) (RNO) RHP
Aces Fall 7-6 in Nailbiter Against the Rainiers
Reno Aces (3-4) 6, Tacoma Rainiers (5-2) 7 W: C. Legumina (2-0) L: J. Brigham (1-1) S: D. Pomeranz (1) First pitch: 6:05 p.m. PST | Attendance: 4,122 | Time: 3:02 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs Tacoma 4/5/25 at 4:05
Tawa & Lawlar Orchestrate the Offense as Silver Sox Roll Past Tacoma in 8-2 Victory
Reno Silver Sox (3-3) 8, Tacoma Rainiers (4-2) 2 W: J.P. Feyereisen (1-0) L: L. Evans (0-1) First pitch: 6:05 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2,157 | Time: 2:27 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs Tacoma 4/4/25 at 6:05 p.m. (PST) (RNO)
Aces Offense Unable to Find Momentum, Fall in 5-1 Loss to Tacoma
Reno Aces (2-3) 1, Tacoma Rainiers (4-1) 5 W: A. Medina (1-0) L: B. Corcoran (0-1) S: C. Legumina (1) First pitch: 6:05 p.m. PST | Attendance: 2.403 | Time: 2:31 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs Tacoma 4/3/25 at 6:05
Tawa’s Big Day at the Plate Leads Reno to Commanding 7-1 Victory Over Tacoma
Reno Aces (2-2) 7, Tacoma Rainiers (3-1) 1 W: J. Rice (1-0) L: T. Taylor (0-1) First pitch: 2:08 p.m. PST | Attendance: 3,550 | Time: 2:31 Reno, Nevada – Greater Nevada Field Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs Tacoma 4/2/25 at 6:05 p.m. (PST) (RNO) RHP
Reno Returns to Greater Nevada Field in First Home Matchup Against Tacoma
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces (1-2) return to Greater Nevada Field to kick off their first home stand of the 2025 campaign in a six-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers (3-0), the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 P.M. PST on Tuesday, April
English and Tawa Steer Reno to their First Win of the Season in Series Finale vs Las Vegas
Reno Aces (1-2) 9, Las Vegas Aviators (2-1) 4 W: J. Brigham (1-0) L: T. Baum (0-1) First pitch: 12:07 p.m. PST | Attendance: 5.711 | Time: 3:03 Las Vegas, Nevada – Las Vegas Ballpark Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: vs Tacoma 4/1/25 at 2:05 p.m. (PST)
Tawa Shows Off the Power, Reno Taken Down by Las Vegas in 10-3 Defeat
Reno Aces (0-2) 3, Las Vegas Aviators (2-0) 10 W: Cushing (1-0) L: Henry (0-1) First pitch: 7:08 p.m. PST | Attendance: 6,834| Time: 2:52 Las Vegas, Nevada – Las Vegas Ballpark Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Las Vegas 3/30/25 at 12:05 p.m. (PST) (RNO) RHP
Mancini Goes Yard in his Aces Debut, Reno Falls Short in Season Opener to Las Vegas
Reno Aces (0-1) 2, Las Vegas Aviators (1-0) 3 W: Ginn (1-0) L: Diaz (0-1) S: Alvarado (1) First pitch: 7:08 p.m. PST | Attendance: 9,167 | Time: 2:21 Las Vegas, Nevada – Las Vegas Ballpark Click Here for Video Highlights Next time out: @ Las Vegas 3/29/25 at 7:05
Breaking Down Reno's Opening Day Roster
Play ball! The Reno Aces announced their Opening Day roster for the 2025 season. Let’s analyze the group before Reno takes the field for Friday night’s opener at Las Vegas Ballpark. Italics - on 40-man roster Catchers: Aramis Garcia, Drake Osborn Reno will carry just two catchers on Opening Day