Oklahoma City, OK – The Nashville Sounds ninth inning rally came up short in a 4-3 loss against the Oklahoma City Dodgers Saturday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The Sounds started the ninth inning down 4-2 and attempted a ninth inning rally to take game four of the five-game series from the Dodgers. Joey Wendle led off the ninth with a single to center to start the inning. Rangel Ravelo then followed with a single of his own and the tying run was aboard for the Sounds. Bruce Maxwell’s fly out to center allowed Wendle to advance to third but Ravelo remained at first.
With runners at first and third, Jaycob Brugman hit an infield RBI single to score Wendle and Alcantara was safe at second and the Sounds had the tying and go ahead runs on base.
After a Chase Pinder strike out, an 11-pitch battle between Sounds left fielder Andrew Lambo and Dodgers pitcher Jaycob Rhame insued. Lambo nearly delivered the clutch hit twice in the at bat but unfortunately both times the potential hit went barely foul. Lambo then hit a long drive to deep center field, however, Dodgers center fielder Rico Noel tracked down the fly ball to record the final out and preserve the 4-3 Dodgers win.
The Sounds took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Lambo scoring Jaycob Brugman in the top of the first inning.
Oklahoma City answered in the bottom half of the inning with a RBI double from O’Koyea Jackson scoring Rob Segedin to tie the game at 1-1. After nearly a 30 minute rain delay, Corey Brown hit a RBI single to plate Jackson to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead after one.
Colin Walsh led off the top of the second inning with single up the middle. After a Joey Wendle fly out and Rangel Ravelo strike out, Bruce Maxwell singled to right and advanced Walsh to third with Brugman on deck. Brugman then sent an RBI single to left to score Walsh to tie the game at 2-2 after two.
Back-to-back singles from Micah Johnson and Zach Walters started the home half of the third inning for the Dodgers. With Johnson at third base, Jackson hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Johnson to put the Dodgers up 3-2 after 3.
The Sounds had an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the top of the fourth inning as both Brugman and Maxwell were both left stranded in scoring position.
The Dodgers then extended their lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning on a solo home run to right field by Zach Walters.
The five-game series concludes Sunday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark as the Sounds will send left-hander Eric Surkamp (3-1, 3.07) and the Oklahoma City Dodgers will counter with right-hander Jose De Leon (0-0, 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05pm.
The 2016 season is the Sounds’ 19th year in the Pacific Coast League and their second as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Tickets are available now by calling 615.690.4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com
