Soler, Starling Smash Sounds in 4-2 Win

Omaha outfielders Jorge Soler and Bubba Starling  both blasted solo homers in the second inning in support of starter Miguel Almonte , who struck out eight Nashville hitters over five frames, while right fielder Hunter Dozier  delivered the go-ahead run-scoring knock in the Storm Chasers' 4-2 victory over the Sounds on Monday evening at Werner Park.

Soler started the scoring with his solo shot to lead off the second, his first with Omaha since joining the club. Two batters later, Starling slammed his third big fly of the season with a line drive smash over the left field Home Run Porch to extend the margin to two.<o:p>
Nashville (29-26), however, would even the contest at two runs apiece in the sixth courtesy of 1B Renato Núñez 's game-tying two-run roundtripper. Omaha (29-26) countered in the bottom of the frame, however, when Dozier slapped an RBI single to left. DH Dean Anna in the subsequent inning capped the Storm Chasers' scoring with an RBI groundout to send in pinch runner Terrance Gore .<o:p>
Starling (2-3, R, 2B, HR, RBI), Dozier (2-4, RBI) and 2B Ramón Torres (2-4, R) each collected two knocks in the victory for Omaha. Nunez (3-4, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) and DH Joey Wendle both tallied a game-high three hits in Nashville's defeat.
<o:p>Soler also displayed great work defensively, throwing out a runner attempting to advance from first to third on a base hit, in addition to a nice grab to keep his squad ahead. In the top of the seventh with the potential tying run at second, Sounds SS Franklin Barreto lofted a deep fly ball to left, which Soler was able to snag on the warning track just before running into the left field wall to end the frame and Nashville threat.
Almonte (5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K) did not factor in the decision in his first outing with the Storm Chasers this season despite fanning eight while walking two in his five shutout innings of work. Southpaw Brian Flynn (1.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K) earned his first victory, while righties Al Alburquerque (1.1 IP, H, 3 K) and Malcom Culver (1.0 IP, BB, K) received the hold and save, respectively.<o:p>
Nashville starter Daniel Gossett (7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) suffered the defeat to fall to 3-3. Lefty reliever Felix Doubront (1.0 IP, H, 2 K) would follow Gossett by firing the final scoreless frame for the Sounds.<o:p>
The two teams continue their four-game set with a Tuesday matinee tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT. Omaha is anticipated to send top Royals prospect Josh Staumont (3-4, 3.88) to the hill, with the Sounds expected to give the nod to RHP Michael Brady (2-1, 3.41).<o:p>
Tickets are still available for that game and all remaining Storm Chasers contests, and may be purchased at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets, as well as by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100. To view Ticket Office hours, please click here.<o:p>
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