Rucinski Silences Sounds Bats
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After winning eight straight games, the Nashville Sounds finally lost, falling to the Salt Lake Bees, 2-1 on Tuesday night at First Tennessee Park.
After not trailing since the fourth inning of Saturday's 6-1 win over Las Vegas, the Sounds fell behind in the fourth inning as Jett Bandy's solo shot gave the Bees a 1-0 lead.
Salt Lake built on that lead in the 5th inning, chasing Sounds starter Brad Mills from the game. C.J. Cron hit his second double off the veteran southpaw, plating Kyle Kubitza who battled back from down 0-2 to draw a two-out walk the at bat before. As he's done all season, Pat Venditte came out of the pen and stranded the runner. He also threw a scoreless sixth inning, lowering his ERA to 1.36.
The Sounds cut the lead in half in the latter part of the seventh. Catcher Bryan Anderson lined a double down the right field line to score Ryan Roberts. Bees starter Drew Rucinski entered the action with a 1-4 record and a 7.04 ERA, but yielded just that run over seven innings on the night. The Sounds loaded the bases with one out off the freshly demoted Los Angeles Angel Vinnie Pestano, but Jason Pridie and Nate Freiman both popped out and the threat was averted.
The Sounds and Bees will play game two tomorrow night at First Tennessee Park. Both teams will send their top pitching prospects to the mound as Chris Bassitt matches up with Andrew Heaney on Beatles Night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.