Sounds Open Homestand With 4-1 Win Over Memphis
In his first game with the Sounds and fifth overall during his rehab appearance, catcher Jonathan Lucroy went 3-for-4 with and RBI and three runs scored. The three runs scored matched a season-high by a Sounds player this season.
The backstop popped out to first in the first, singled up the middle in the fourth, ripped an RBI single to center in the sixth, and knocked an opposite-field base hit to right in the eighth.
First baseman Sean Halton doubled twice and drove in a run. Second baseman Eric Farris singled to extend his hitting streak to six games. Juan Sanchez also had a pinch-hit single for his first Triple-A hit of his career.
Memphis quickly jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but failed to score the rest of the game. Eugenio Velez doubled down the right field line and proceeded to score as Mark Hamilton singled to right.
Nashville knotted the game at 1-1 in the home half of the fourth. Lucroy singled to left, moved to third on a double from first baseman Sean Halton, and scored on an infield groundout from right fielder Jordan Brown.
The Sounds added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to go ahead for good. Farris worked an inning-opening walk, moved to second on a sacrifice from center fielder Caleb Gindl, and scored as Lucroy lined a single to center. Halton then tacked on an RBI double to score the rehabbing catcher from first base.
Nashville added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Lucroy led off the frame with a single, moved to second and third on groundouts, and scored on a wild pitch.
In a no-decision, Seth McClung allowed one first-inning run on five hits while striking out six in five innings.
Donovan Hand (2-1) followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings while fanning four for the victory. Jesus Sanchez worked around a hit for scoreless eighth before Jim Henderson shut the door with his team-leading 15th save.
Memphis starter Tyler Lyons (1-6) pitched his second quality start of the season against the Sounds in a losing effort. The left-hander surrendered three runs on five hits with six strikeouts in six innings.
The Sounds and division-rival Redbirds continue their four-game series at 7:05 p.m. CT on Wednesday night. Nashville will send right-hander Claudio Vargas (3-1, 4.66) to the mound to face Cardinals top prospect RHP Shelby Miller (5-8, 5.40).