NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Nashville Honky Tonks (33-37) used a late rally to twirl away the Round Rock Dance Halls (30-42) by a final score of 7-4 in tonight's series opener at First Tennessee Park. The Nashville victory leveled the 2018 Battle for the Boot Championship at three games apiece
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Nashville Honky Tonks (33-37) used a late rally to twirl away the Round Rock Dance Halls (30-42) by a final score of 7-4 in tonight's series opener at First Tennessee Park. The Nashville victory leveled the 2018 Battle for the Boot Championship at three games apiece after Round Rock won the first half of the rivalry series at Dell Diamond 3-2.
Nashville reliever LHP Ryan Buchter (1-0, 0.00) picked up the win after allowing just a hit in a scoreless seventh inning of relief. Dance Halls RHP Tayler Scott (2-2, 3.64) suffered the loss after giving up four runs on a hit and three walks while recording just two outs in the seventh inning. Starter LHP Michael Roth was solid, permitting three runs on nine hits in 6.0 innings.
Round Rock wasted little time jumping on the scoreboard as LF Scott Heineman led off the contest with a double. Following a Christian Lopes single, DH Ryan Rua grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Heineman to sprint home with the first run of the game.
Nashville responded an inning later thanks to a pair of singles courtesy of 3B Sheldon Neuse and C Bruce Maxwell, followed by a sacrifice fly by 2B Steve Lombardozzi .
The Dance Halls broke through once again in the fourth inning. After 3B Andy Ibáñez tallied a one-out single off Honky Tonks starter LHP Eric Jokisch , the lefty misplayed a groundball off the bat of CF Drew Robinson , throwing the relay into center field while both runners reached base safely. A Hunter Cole single loaded the bases, then C Tony Sanchez and Heineman teamed up for back-to-back RBI singles that put Round Rock up 3-1.
The visitors added an insurance run in the sixth. Following a Robinson single, Sanchez singled to put runners on the corners for SS Hanser Alberto . The shortstop delivered with a long sacrifice fly to left field, leaving just enough time for Robinson to tag and score.
Nashville inched closer in the bottom of the frame thanks to back-to-back home runs courtesy of LF Ramón Laureano and 3B Sheldon Neuse.
The music stopped for Round Rock in the seventh as the Honky Tonks unloaded for four runs to open a 7-4 lead. The frame began precariously as Scott walked LF Matt Joyce , CF Boog Powell and 1B Nick Martini in consecutive order to begin the inning. An Anthony García fielder's choice scored Joyce to level the game at 4-4. Laureano then gave his team the lead with an RBI single.
The inning continued as LHP Brady Feigl entered to relieve Scott, immediately walking Maxwell to re-load the bases. The final blow came when Lombardozzi reached on a fielding error by Lopes, allowing a pair of runs to score that upped the gap to 7-4.
The Dance Halls and Honky Tonks continue their rivalry series on Friday evening as Round Rock RHP Adrian Sampson (3-3, 6.64) is scheduled to face Nashville RHP James Naile (5-6, 4.05). First pitch at First Tennessee Park is set for 7:05 p.m.
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