Sounds Drop Road Opener To Divsion-Rival Storm Chasers, 2-1
All four of Nashville's (5-4) defeats this season have come by one run, including twice in extra innings.
The Storm Chasers scored both runs in the bottom of the third inning. David Lough doubled in the beginning of the frame and attempted to score on an Eric Hosmer single, but was the victim of the Sounds' seventh outfield assist of the early season as Brett Carroll threw Lough out at home plate to save a run. It was Carroll's league-leading fourth outfield assist.
Third baseman Mike Moustakas then doubled home Hosmer for the first run scored in Werner Park history. After Mark DiFelice came into the contest to replace the rehabbing Manny Parra, Johnny Giavotella tripled to right field to score Moustakas for the club's final run.
The Sounds were able to trim the Omaha lead to 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning. With Mat Gamel on first base and two outs, Brendan Katin doubled to left field to move Gamel to third base. During Brandon Boggs' at-bat, Luis Mendoza threw a wild pitch that allowed Gamel to score from third.
The Sounds threatened to do damage in the top of the eighth inning, but failed to plate any runners. Omaha reliever Blaine Hardy started the frame and allowed a single sandwiched between two walks to load the bases before being replaced by Jesse Chavez (1-0). Boggs then struck out looking, followed by Jeremy Reed grounding into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Louis Coleman struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his second save of the year for Omaha.
Parra (0-1) made his second rehab appearance for the Sounds in the loss and tossed 2 2/3 innings while giving up two runs on four hits. He threw 49 pitches (30 strikes), fanning and walking two.
Rehabbing reliever LaTroy Hawkins made his first appearance for the Sounds and tossed 2/3 of an inning by throwing 20 pitches (10 strikes). He induced one groundout and one out pop out before walking two batters.
Nashville right-hander Frankie De La Cruz struck out five while contributing 4 1/3 shutout innings in relief for Nashville.
Chris Nowak collected his first hits of the season, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Katin's eighth-inning double was the club's only extra-base hit.
Omaha starter Danny Duffy allowed one hit with seven strikeouts and one walk over 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
To make up for Friday's rainout, the Sounds and Storm Chasers will play a scheduled doubleheader beginning at 2:05 pm CT on Sunday afternoon at Werner Park. Sounds right-hander Amaury Rivas (2-0, 1.50) looks to stay perfect in the first game against Omaha righty Vin Mazzaro (0-0, 19.29). Southpaw Sam Narron (0-0, 5.40) faces left-hander Mike Montgomery (0-1, 9.00) in the nightcap.