Nashville, TN – The Nashville Sounds surrendered an early lead and fell to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 3-2 Friday night at First Tennessee Park in front of 9,402 fans.
Garrin Cecchini and Eric Young Jr. had back-to-back one out singles in the seventh to put the tying run on base. After a Michael Reed line out to short, Yadiel Rivera then saw a first pitch fastball and sent it over the left field fence to take a 3-2 lead for the Sky Sox.
The Sounds had a chance to tie or take a commanding lead in the bottom of the eight after three straight singles loaded the bases.
Billy Burns, Arismendy Alcantara and Chad Pinder each singled to start a potential Sounds rally in the eighth inning. Alcanatara’s single extended his hitting streak to 13 games, tying with Andrew Lambo for the team’s seaon-high hit streak.
Nunez then uck out swinging two pitches later. Matt Olson and Matt McBride then both popped out to Sky Sox shortstop Orlando Arcia to end the Sounds threat.
The Sounds then had yet another opportunity slip through their fingers in the ninth inning. Joey Wendle led off the frame with a base hit to left field to put the tying run on. Colin Walsh then walked and was replaced by Tyler Ladendorf at first to pinch run. Rangel Ravelo then attempted a bunt to move both runners, but Sky Sox closer Damien Magnifico fielded the bunt and threw out Wendle at third and Ravelo was thrown out at first as well. With Ladendorf at second, Burns struck out on a foul tip to end the game.
The Sounds took an early lead in the first when Pinder just missed his 14th home run of the season; instead the shortstop roped a RBI triple off the left-center wall scoring Burns who walked to lead off the inning. Nunez then followed with an RBI groundout to second to score Pinder from third to put the Sounds up 2-0.
Sounds starter Jesse Hahn (1-6, 3.66) was sharp threw the first six innings, not allowing a run and keeping Sky Sox batters in check. That came apart in the seventh with Rivera’s three-run home run of the right-hander who was tabbed with his sixth loss of the season.
Hahn gave way to Eduard Santos out of the Sounds ‘pen in the eighth. Santos kept the Sounds in it pitching a 1-2-3 eighth. After giving up a single and a walk in the ninth, Santos retired the next three batters to keep the Sounds alive.
Sky Sox starter Josh Hader was just as good but ended up with a no decision on the night. The left-hander tossed five innings and allowed just two first inning runs and struck out nine batters.
The Sounds begin a 12-game road trip Saturday night as they travel to New Orleans for a four-game series with the Zephyrs. Nashville will send left-hander Ross Detwiler (2-0, 4.09) the Zephyrs have yet to announce a starter for the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00pm at Zephyr field.
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
