Sounds Drop Extra-Inning Affair
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After 12 innings of back-and-forth play, the Nashville Sounds fell 5-4 to the Iowa Cubs at First Tennessee Park on Thursday night.
The Sounds scored twice in the third inning to start the scoring. Craig Gentry keyed the attack, stealing his team-leading 18th base to get into scoring position with two outs. Jason Pridie and Nate Freiman then strung together a pair of back-to-back hits to give the Sounds a 2-0 lead.
Newest Sound, Brent Morel, got in on the act in the fifth, doubling in Joey Wendle to extend the lead to 3-0. Morel was signed as a minor league free agent by Oakland today. The third baseman was granted free agency from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 28.
The Cubs finally got to Sounds starter Brad Mills in the seventh. Javier Baez led off the frame with a double and scored via consecutive groundouts. For Mills, it was another great outing as he hurled his third straight quality start. The southpaw surrendered just four hits on the night, striking out five in his seven innings of work. Unfortunately for him and the Sounds he would not factor into the decision.
First man out of the pen, Brock Huntzinger, gave up a double to Adron Chambers, sending the tying man to the plate with one out in the eighth. Wendle then accidentally, kicked a bouncing ball that allowed Chambers to score. After Huntzinger forced a Junior Lake flyout that Matt Szczur tagged up on, Sounds manager Steve Scarsone went to his closer, Ryan Cook. Cook induced a grounder, but Morel misplayed it and the Cubs tied the game.
Cook and the Cubs Frank Batista threw scoreless ninths and the game headed to extras. Batista was marvelous for Iowa on this night, pitching four scoreless innings, while the Sounds Arnold Leon tossed two scoreless innings.
Phil Coke threw hard for the Sounds, touching the mid-90s with his fastball, but struggling with his control, hitting Baez in addition to delivering two wild pitches. Christian Villanueva and John Andreoli both would belt clutch two-out RBI singles to give the Cubs a 5-3 lead.
The Sounds would not go down fighting however. The first three batters in the 12th Morel, Pridie and Freiman all reached base. Andy Parrino then grounded into a double play, scoring Morel. The Sounds would once again load the bases, but Bryan Anderson struck out and the Sounds fell 5-4.
The two teams will complete their series tomorrow night at First Tennessee Park. The Sounds are expected to send Nate Long (2-3, 5.40) to the bump. He will be opposed by Drake Britton (6-5, 5.01). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.