Nashville Tops Memphis In Homestand Opener, 2-1

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Starting pitcher Johnny Hellweg tossed seven scoreless as the cross-state rival Nashville Sounds beat the Memphis Redbirds, 2-1, in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday night on AutoZone Park.

Hellweg (5-4) hurled his best pitching performance of the season, yielding three hits while striking out three over seven strong innings.

Redbirds starter Richard Castillo (0-2) took his second consecutive hard luck loss in a quality start. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits and four walks while fanning three in six innings.

Adron Chambers had two of Memphis five hits. Kolten Wong, Ryan Jackson, and Greg Garcia accounted for the club's other three.

Nashville moved out to a 1-0 advantage in the fourth inning as Castillo issued a pair of walks to begin the frame. Two batters later, Blake Lalli looped a lazy fly ball over the third baseman's head to score Hainley Statia.

The Sounds plated their other run in the eighth as pinch hitter Sean Halton began the inning with a base hit. Halton moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on consecutive singles from Statia and Caleb Gindl.

Memphis plated its only run in the eighth as Chambers led off with a walk. He would later move to second on a groundout and score as Jackson lined an RBI double to right.

The Redbirds threatened in the bottom of the ninth, as Greg Garcia led off with a double to center. Garcia advanced to third on a groundout, but was stranded as Rob Johnson flew out to right to end the ballgame.

Marc Rzepczynski gave up one run on three hits in two innings. Michael Blazek struck out two over a perfect ninth.

The division rivals continue their series at 7:05 pm CT on Friday night at AutoZone Park. Right-hander Carlos Martinez (0-0, 0.00) will take the mound against Nashville right-hander Mike Fiers (0-1, 1.50).