Sounds Slip Late In 9-7 Loss

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The first-place Nashville Sounds (52-48) could not contain the resilient Oklahoma City RedHawks (51-50), as the Sounds blew two leads in a 9-7 loss in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Friday night.

Trailing 7-6 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the RedHawks reeled three runs off of Sounds reliever Jose De La Torre, who was saddled with the loss. The Sounds have now held leads in 19 of their 29 road losses during the 2014 season, but still sport an impressive 6-2 mark in games played as a part of doubleheaders this season.

It didn't take long for the Sounds to continue their hot hitting from Game 1, as Caleb Gindl smacked a two-run home run following a Pete Orr single to lead off the game to give Nashville an early 2-0 advantage. Gindl's blast gives Nashville homers in 14 of its last 18 games.

The Sounds padded their lead by adding two more runs in the top of the third, as Nashville strung four straight hits off of RedHawks starter Asher Wojciechowski to begin the frame. After Kevin Mattison led the inning off with a double, Orr scored him on a bunt single and advanced on a throwing error. Jason Rogers then followed with an RBI single.

Orr was an important part of Nashville's offense, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored in Game 2 while racking up four hits total across the doubleheader.

Like in Game 1, the RedHawks struck back, but they were able to complete the comeback to avoid being swept in the twinbill. A two-run double by Jonathan Villar in the bottom of the third cut the Sounds lead to 3-2. Oklahoma City then had their breakthrough in the bottom of the fifth, as the RedHawks offense tagged starter Ariel Pena and reliever Arcenio Leon for four runs on three hits and three walks.

Pena (6-6) was effective in his first four innings before struggling in the fifth. He ended up going 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on three hits while striking out four and walking up three.

Nashville took the lead back from the RedHawks in the top of the sixth when Mattison knocked in two runs with his second double of the game, but the bullpen would not be able to hold on for the victory. 

The Sounds and RedHawks will resume the series tomorrow at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Sounds ace RHP Mike Fiers (6-5, 2.52) will make his first start after the All-Star break opposite Oklahoma City RHP Tommy Shirley (0-0, 6.00). Jeff Hem will have the call on 102.5 The GAME.