7-Run 4th Dooms Chasers In 12-3 Loss

Vargas makes 1st rehab start with Omaha, Calixte collects 3 hits

By Andrew Green

August 22, 2016

Sounds second baseman Joey Wendle tallied four hits and three RBI while finishing a home run shy of the cycle and center fielder Jaycob Brugman drove in four runs as a seven-run fourth inning propelled Nashville to a 12-3 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Monday evening at Werner Park.

Brugman (2-5, R, HR, 4 RBI, BB) and SS Josh Rodriguez (3-4, R, RBI, BB) continued their excellent series against Omaha, with the former racking up nine hits in 14 at-bats, adding four runs, two doubles, two homers and ten RBI. Rodriguez, meanwhile, has collected eight hits in 12 at-bats along with seven runs, two doubles, two homers and seven RBI.

Entering the fourth frame up 2-0, Nashville broke the game wide open with a seven-spot. Brugman bashed his seventh longball of the season, a three-run shot, as part of the scoring spurt, while Wendle collected a pair run-scoring doubles as part of his big night.

The Storm Chasers ended the Sounds' shutout hopes in the sixth thanks to DH Whit Merrifield's RBI double that one-hopped the center field wall. Omaha would subsequently add two more scores in the seventh thanks in part to 3B Orlando Calixte's run-scoring infield single.

Calixte's (3-5, RBI) three hits paced all Storm Chasers hitters, while Merrifield (2-4, 2B, RBI) and SS Dusty Coleman (2-3, R, BB) also recorded a multi-hit effort. Coleman with his two knocks extended his hit streak to nine, during which he has hit .405 (15-37) with six runs, one double, one triple, two homers and 11 RBI.

Royals lefty Jason Vargas (3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 SO) fired the first three-plus frames in his first start with Omaha as part of his Major League Rehab Assignment, throwing 67 pitches, including 45 strikes, while suffering the loss. Nashville southpaw Dillon Overton (6.0 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 7 SO), meanwhile, earned his 12th win of the year with a quality start.

The Storm Chasers and Sounds complete their four-game set with a Tuesday matinee set for a 12:05 p.m. CT start time. RHP Kris Medlen (0-1, 6.14) is expected to make his second start with Omaha on his current Major League Rehab Assignment, while RHP Daniel Mengden (6-2, 1.79) is anticipated to oppose Medlen for Nashville.