RedHawks Score Late To Beat Sounds In Opener, 10-6
The Sounds (28-44) have lost 12 of their 13 games to the RedHawks in 2012, including the last 10 in a row.
Second baseman Eric Farris went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Outfielder Jay Gibbons also had two hits including a double and a run.
Both teams traded two runs in the first inning. After Brandon Barnes singled, Jimmy Paredes crushed his sixth homer of the season off the clubhouse in right-center.
Nashville came back and loaded the bases after walks to outfielder Logan Schafer and the rehabbing shortstop Cesar Izturis, and a single to rehabbing first baseman Travis Ishikawa. Third baseman Andy Gonzalez brought home the first run on an infield groundout. Gibbons then grounded a high chopper over the first baseman's head to bring home the tying run.
Oklahoma City's next three runs in the third inning again came via home run. After Paredes and Brett Wallace reached on singles, Mike Hessman belted his team-leading 20th homer of the season over the left field wall.
Consecutive two-out doubles from Gibbons and catcher Jason Jaramillo trimmed the lead to 5-3 in the home half of the third.
Nashville came within one run at 5-4 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Farris singled to right field, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on an infield groundout by Schafer.
The Sounds knotted the contest at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Farris smoked a two-out double to left-center and scored the tying run on the following at-bat when pinch hitter Hainley Statia hit an RBI single to center. Statia is now hitting .556 (5-for-9) in pinch hitting opportunities this season.
The RedHawks scored four runs to take a 9-5 lead in a crazy top of the eighth inning. Two straight doubles by the RedHawks put two runners in scoring position, while the second two-bagger of the frame appeared to be caught by Schafer in center. The centerfielder was then ejected along with manager Mike Guerrero for arguing the call.
After an intentional walk to load the bases, reliever Robert Wooten entered the game and issued two consecutive walks for the two first two runs. The final two scored during a bases loaded groundout to first base, which was mishandled by Wooten during an exchange.
The RedHawks tacked on their tenth run with an RBI double by Angel Sanchez in the ninth.
Entering the game as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning, Sean Halton added his fifth homer of the season for the final run of the contest. The pinch hit homer was the first for the Sounds in 2012 and first since Erick Almonte went yard on July 4, 2011 vs. Memphis.
Nashville starter Claudio Vargas gave up five runs on nine hits while striking out three in six innings. All five runs came on two homers allowed.
Reliever Amaury Rivas (3-4) was charged with three runs in one plus innings for the loss. Rob Wooten surrendered one run while allowing all three inherited runners to score in 1 1/3 innings. Victor Garate ended the game a run in 2/2 inning.
In his third rehab appearance, Travis Ishikawa went 0-for-1 with a fly out and two walks. Izturis went 1-for-4 with a single in his third rehab appearance.
Oklahoma City starter Wes Musick allowed two runs in one inning and left early due to an apparent arm injury. Mickey Storey (5-2) pitched a scoreless frame for the win.
The Sounds and RedHawks continue their series at 7:05 pm CT on Wednesday night at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Seth McClung (1-8, 4.75) will make the start for the Sounds against RedHawks righty Brian Bass (1-1, 4.57).