NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Nashville Sounds (62-67) raced past the Round Rock Express (60-68) by a final score of 9-3 in Thursday night's series opener at First Tennessee Park. E-Train 3B Will Middlebrooks collected his 23rd home run of the year in the loss. Round Rock RHP Tyler Wagner (3-11,
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Nashville Sounds (62-67) raced past the Round Rock Express (60-68) by a final score of 9-3 in Thursday night's series opener at First Tennessee Park. E-Train 3B Will Middlebrooks collected his 23rd home run of the year in the loss.
Round Rock RHP Tyler Wagner (3-11, 6.34) suffered the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in two innings of relief. Nashville reliever RHP Chris Bassett (3-3, 6.48) picked up the win following a performance in which he blanked the Express on just one hit in two innings out of the bullpen.
Neither starter factored into the decision as E-Train LHP Dario Álvarez allowed three runs on six hits in four innings while Sounds RHP Daniel Mengden permitted three runs on six hits in four innings.
Round Rock took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as LF Willie Calhoun manufactured a two-out walk prior to a booming two-run homer courtesy of Middlebrooks. However, Nashville answered in the bottom of the second. 2B Joey Wendle worked a one-out walk before 1B Chris Carter blasted a game-tying home run.
The Sounds took a brief lead in the bottom of the third. RF Yario Munoz roped a leadoff single into center field before moving to second on a Josh Phegley groundout. SS Franklin Barreto followed up with an RBI triple that put the home side up 3-2.
Round Rock answered in the top of the fourth as DH Preston Beck notched a one-out walk before ultimately scoring on back-to-back singles courtesy of 2B Tyler Smith and SS Doug Bernier .
However, Nashville scored a pair of runs in each the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to take command of the series opener. Carter worked a leadoff walk in the sixth before three straight singles by CF Jaff Decker , LF Matt McBride and Munoz forced in the go-ahead run. McBride later raced home on a ground ball double play off the bat of DH Jake Smolinski .
An inning later, 3B Renato Núñez , Wendle and Carter notched consecutive singles to promptly load the bases. Decker grounded into a force out that scored both Nunez and Wendle to put Nashville up 7-3. The Sounds tacked on two more runs in the eighth. Munoz opened the frame with a single then scored on an ensuing Smolinski double. Barreto responded with an RBI single to push the final score to 9-3.
The two American Southern Division rivals will meet again on Friday night. Round Rock RHP David Ledbetter (3-3, 4.18) is slated to take the mound opposite Nashville RHP Zach Neal (3-8, 5.47). First pitch at First Tennessee Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Single game tickets, season memberships, Flex Plans and Kids Club packages are on sale now. For more information on the Express, visit or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
