Sounds Fall 10-7 In Series Opener

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Nashville Sounds (74-65) had their losing streak extended to four games after a 10-7 loss to the Round Rock Express at the Dell Diamond on Thursday night.

Matt Pagnozzi, Jeremy Hermida and Jason Rogers all homered in the contest to give the Sounds 27 homers in the last 18 games, but not enough to pick up the win.

Hermida's solo blast, which erased an early 1-0 deficit in the top of the second, was his 15th of the season, tying him with Hector Gomez for the team lead.

Round Rock responded immediately by scoring three runs off of Sounds starter Donovan Hand (4-8) in the bottom of the third. Hand finished the game by going three innings and allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits.

After a slow start against Express starter Derek Holland, who was making a Major League rehab appearance, the Sounds offense came to life in the top of the fifth when Eugenio Velez knocked in Adam Weisenburger on a groundout.

The Sounds then cut the deficit to 5-4 in the top of the sixth after Pagnozzi's homer brought home a pair of runs.

The long ball hurt the Sounds bullpen in the late innings, as Tim Dillard allowed a solo shot to Jared Hoying to stretch the Round Rock lead to 6-4. Although Brent Leach came on to prevent further damage in the inning, the Express put the game away with a two-run dinger by Josh Wilson in the bottom of the eighth off of Jose De La Torre.

Nashville had one last rally in the top of the ninth, when Hermida knocked in Velez on a double before Rogers hit a towering home run to left with two outs. But the Sounds could not complete the comeback, as Matt Clark struck out to end the game.

The Sounds will look to end their losing streak Friday night against Round Rock, with RHP Michael Blazek (4-4, 4.05) scheduled to start for Nashville opposite Express RHP Luke Jackson (1-2, 9.17). Jeff Hem will have the call on 102.5 The GAME.