As a newcomer to the Reno / Tahoe area, I was psyched to find a first-class AAA team in the Pacific Coast League in the Reno Aces - mainly so I can check out visiting Angels prospects on a regular basis. I got my first chance last night as the Salt Lake Bees visited. If you're ever tempted to visit Reno and do a little gambling, it's a great city, gorgeous ball park and you have easy access to the players. Robb Quinlan looked at me in my Angels hat and smiled - I resisted asking him if he ever checked out Halos Heaven and saw someone's comment about him, Scioscia and NAMBLA. (That one cracked me up, by the way.)

I don't have an in-depth report other than to say that it was super cold and the Bees looked awful in every phase of the game. Reckling is pitching tonight, so I'm tempted to go back and get a peek at him - but maybe I'll wait for a warmer date this summer. Anyway, here are a few photos from last night to give you a feel for the flavor.

Bourjos at bat.

Crouching Conger.

DeHoyos looked good for a while, but then it all fell apart. He gave up one homer on a pitch left up too high, and the rest was just the Aces pecking away.

"Captain" Albano looked good in the bullpen but they pretty much teed off on him.

The ball park for the Reno Aces is downtown, with the colorful lights of the casinos in the background and the Sierra Nevada Mount ains looming over it all.