Nashville, TN – Veteran right-hander Chris Smith came through with a brilliant outing to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 5-1 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers in front of 6,001 fans Tuesday night at First Tennessee Park.
With a taxed bullpen, Smith worked a career-high eight innings. On his 110th pitch of the night, he struck out Reymond Fuentes to end the eighth inning – setting a career-high in innings pitched.
Nashville’s (47-33) three-run second inning was more than enough support. Joey Wendle walked to start the inning and got into scoring position on a wild pitch. Matt Olson plated Wendle with the first run of the game when he drilled a double off the right field wall.
Ladendorf later scored on a groundout by Chad Pinder to extend the Sounds’ lead to 3-0.
Omaha (32-45) got on the board in the fifth with a run-scoring groundout but Nashville came right back with a run of their own.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Wendle launched his seventh home run of the season – a solo shot to up the lead to 4-1.
Smith was dialed in from the start as he struck out a pair in the first inning. He retired the side in order in the second, racked up two more strikeouts in the third and then struck out the side in the fourth.
It’s the fifth win of the year for the right-hander who notched his seventh quality start. The Sounds are 8-1 over his last nine starts.
Olson and Ladendorf had multi-hit games at the plate to led the charge offensively.
The Sounds continue the homestand Thursday when they welcome the Oklahoma City Dodgers to First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Angel Castro (0-5, 5.50) starts for Nashville against right-hander Jose De Leon (0-0, 3.44) for Oklahoma City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.
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
