Sounds Take Down Aces in Team Win
RENO, Nev. - The Nashville Sounds hit parade continued on Tuesday night as they out-slugged Reno 7-4 at Aces Ballpark.
The first inning began how many opening frame have started this season for Nashville, the red-hot Joey Wendle smacked his 37th double of the season and came around to score on a Jason Pridie single. The outfielder became the first Sound to hit the 80 RBI plateau on the play. Reno immediately answered, getting a run on a sacrifice fly by Jamie Romak. The Aces would load the bases, but Sounds' starter Cody Martin struck Todd Glaesmann out swinging to leave them loaded. Nashville is now outscoring their opponents 80-50 in the opening frame this season.
The Aces took the lead an inning later, taking advantage of a pair of Sounds' miscues to push a run across. First, Sounds third baseman Brent Morel made a throwing error that allowed Blake Lalli to reach the hot corner, he then scored on a wild pitch by Martin.
The score remained that way until the fifth. After Craig Gentry singled to extend his consecutive road games on-base streak to 24, Carson Blair launched a two-run homer off Reno starter A.J. Schugel. Rangel Ravelo attempted to duplicate the Sounds catcher's feat the following inning, but his blast hit the top of the wall. Pridie scored from first on the play and Schugel's day was over. New pitcher R.J. Hively was greeted by Morel who singled in Ravelo to make it 5-2. The infielder finished the night with three hits and is now 9-for-13 in the series.
Andy Parrino then grounded into a double play, but Nashville remained undeterred. Gentry and Blair walked and in walked Tyler Ladendorf. The infielder, who was making his first start in left field this season, tripled to drive two more runs in. He finished 3-for-5. After eight of nine Sounds hitters recorded at least one hit the past two nights, the entire Sounds' starting lineup tallied a hit on Tuesday night.
Martin went six innings, surrendering three runs (two earned), securing his fourth quality start and his third win. Dan Otero then retired all six batters he faced, lowering his ERA to 0.73. Brock Huntzinger was tagged for a solo homer in the ninth by Danny Worth, but that was all and Nashville won 7-4.
The two teams will play their series finale tomorrow night at Aces Ballpark. Sean Nolin (2-1, 2.56) will continue to stretch out his arm after missing a month with a sore left shoulder. Brad Mills (5-11, 4.32) will relieve him. Blayne Weller will pitch for Reno. First pitch is set for 9:05 p.m.