Round Rock, TX – The Nashville Sounds could not recover after a four-run first inning by the Round Rock Express in a 8-3 loss Wednesday night at Dell Diamond.
After a Drew Robinson walk and a Brett Nicholas single, Joey Gallo launched a three-run home run to right-center field to give the Express an early lead. Matt Duffy then tripled to left to set up Ronald Guzman with an RBI single to make it a 4-0 Round Rock lead after one.
The Sounds scored a run in three straight innings from the third through the fifth to narrow the deficit to 5-3.
Round Rock answered the Sounds RBI single with one of their own. After Gallo led off the inning with a triple, Matt Duffy singled him home to give the Express a 5-2 lead after three.
Colin Walsh then led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to left to narrow the deficit to 5-2. The home run was Walsh’s third home run of the season.
Nunez then made it a two run deficit when he launched his 22nd home with a solo shot in the fifth inning. The 22-year-old has now hit a home run in three straight games and is currently on an eight-game hitting streak.
Round Rock answered back with Preston Beck’s two-run triple in the bottom of the fifth to put the Express up 7-3.
The Express added a late insurance run in the bottom of the seventh to take an 8-3 lead. With the bases loaded, Sounds reliever Tucker Healy threw a wild pitch and Duffy scored from third. Healy would then strike out Doug Bernier to end the Express threat.
With the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth, Matt McBride flied out to center to end the game. The Sounds also left the bases loaded in the second inning when Arismendy Alcantara struck out looking to end the inning. In total the Sounds were just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left a total of 12 runners on base.
Sounds Starter Dillon Overton struggled early and never got in a rhythm. The left-hander only lasted four innings and gave up five runs on eight hits while just striking out three batters. Overton picked up his first loss as a Sounds starter since losing at Iowa on May 11th.
The Sounds return home for an eight-game homestand beginning with a four-game set against the Reno Aces Friday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Daniel Mengden (5-1, 1.46) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Matt Buschmann (7-8, 5.30) for the Aces. 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
