Des Moines, IA – Willie Calhoun delivered big hits in the first and ninth innings on Friday night, and each time it gave the Nashville Sounds a lead, propelling the team to a 2-1 victory over the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park. The win snapped the Sounds’ overall losing streak at four games and their losing skid against Iowa at five games.
With game tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth, Carlos Tocci led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Andy Ibanez. Then Calhoun, with the Sounds having stranded 11 men on base to that point, drilled a double to right to score Tocci for a 2-1 lead.
That became the final after David Carpenter faced the minimum in the bottom of the ninth and notched his first save.
The game ended on a double play, as Addison Russell struck out and Jose Trevino threw out Donnie Dewees trying to steal second.
Calhoun’s first hit was a long home run down the right field line off Duncan Robinson in the top of the first to make it 1-0. That lead remained until the sixth inning when Iowa tied the game against Joe Kuzia.
Tim Dillard, pitching for the second night in a row and making a spot start following the Rangers’ call-up of starter Ariel Jurado, delivered a clutch performance to save the bullpen. He faced the minimum over five innings of one-hit shutout ball on 52 pitches. Dillard got a no-decision, and Brady Feigl recorded the win with two scoreless relief innings and four strikeouts.
Nashville Sounds Post-Game Notes
Prior to the game, right-hander Joe Kuzia was added to the roster from extended spring training, taking the spot of Ariel Jurado, who was recalled by Texas.
Outfielder Willie Calhoun started the game at second base, the first time he’s played there since September 2nd, 2017.
Calhoun (5) and Matt Davidson (6) have accounted for 11 of the Sounds’ 23 home runs on the season.
Lefty Brady Feigl’s seventh-inning walk is his lone walk of the year in 10 1/3 innings
Next Up For Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds five-game series against the Iowa Cubs continues Saturday night at 7:08pm. Wes Benjamin (0-3, 8.79) is scheduled to start for the Sounds, and Iowa has not announced a starting pitcher.
The 2019 season is the 42nd in Nashville Sounds franchise history and first as the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Single-game tickets are available now by calling 615.690.4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com
