Seven-Run Fifth Inning Leads Sounds Over Clippers

The Nashville Sounds put up seven runs in the fifth inning to lead them to a 9-2 win over the Columbus Clippers Saturday night at First Horizon Park.

After Keston Hiura gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the fourth, Nashville mustered five hits in the seven-run fifth. Tim Lopes and Matt Lipka each brought home a run with singles to give the Sounds a 3-0 advantage. Nashville’s lead was extended to 7-0 as David Dahl and David Fry both drove in two runs with a double. Fry then came in to score on a single from Troy Stokes Jr., giving the Sounds an 8-0 lead.

Columbus managed to put a run on the board in the sixth and the eighth, cutting the lead to 8-2.

Mario Feliciano tacked on another run for Nashville in the eighth, driving a sacrifice fly to center to make it 9-2, Sounds.

Nashville starting pitcher Alec Bettinger picked up his third win of the season. The right-hander tossed 5 1/3 innings and allowed just one run on three hits.

The finale of the five-game series is scheduled for Sunday night at First Horizon Park. Right-hander Victor Castaneda (0-1, 2.25) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Cody Morris (2-1, 1.69) for the Clippers. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

· Nashville has won seven of their last eight games overall and eight of their last 10 at First Horizon Park…they are now 40-24 on the season at home.

· The Sounds are now 4-0 in the Triple-A Final Stretch, tied for the best record.

· Keston Hiura has three home runs in his last seven games.

· Nashville scored at least seven runs in an inning for the first time since August 22 (8, 1st inning, at Memphis).

· Alec Bettinger is 1-2 with a 3.04 ERA (9 ER/26.2 IP) his last five starts.