Alcantara's Gem Leads Sounds to Win

Raul Alcantara tossed seven shutout innings to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 2-0 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox Wednesday afternoon at First Tennessee Park.

Recently promoted from Double-A Midland, Alcantara has started two games with the Sounds and has dazzled in both. He went seven innings against Omaha on July 21 and allowed one unearned run in a no decision. In his seven shutout frames today, he scattered seven hits, didn't walk anybody, and struck out five.

Alcantara settled in early by retiring the side in order in the first. His counterpart, Aaron Wilkerson, was just as good in the early going as the two exchanged scoreless frames through the first three innings.

Jaycob Brugman helped out his pitcher when he threw out Brandon Macias at the plate to end the top of the third. On a base hit to right by Orlando Arcia, Macias tried to score from second but was gunned down by Brugman on a perfect throw home.

Nashville broke through in the fourth when Billy Burns started the inning with a sharp single to center. The speedster swiped second base and moved to third on a groundout. Renato Nunez hit a fly ball to center field deep enough to score Burns from third to give the Sounds a 1-0 lead.

Pitching with a 1-0 lead in the seventh, the first two Sky Sox batters reached with infield singles off Alcantara. A sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out. Alcantara bounced back with a soft line out and then retired Parker Berberet on a groundout to preserve the shutout.

The Sounds picked up an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning when Brugman started a rally with a single to right field. Renato Nunez added a base hit and Matt McBride knocked in the run with another single to left field.

Relievers Ryan Brasier worked a scoreless eighth and Patrick Schuster tossed a perfect ninth to close out the win.

The win for Alcantara is his first at the Triple-A level. Wilkerson allowed just two runs over six innings but was tagged with the loss.

Game three of the four-game set is scheduled for Thursday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Chris Smith (5-8, 4.25) starts for the Sounds against left-hander Brent Suter (4-4, 3.63). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The 2016 season is the Sounds' 19^th year in the Pacific Coast League and their second as the Oakland Athletics' top affiliate. Tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.