Sounds' Four Bombs Not Enough; Lose 6-5
April 12, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. - The Nashville Sounds crushed four baseballs over Werner Park's outfield walls Friday night, but never recovered from a five-run first inning turned in by the Omaha Storm Chasers, who defeated the Sounds 6-5.
Laying the lumber for the Sounds was first baseman Hunter Morris, who homered twice in the game, third baseman Stephen Parker, and right fielder Cole Garner. Morris, the 2012 Southern League MVP, connected on his first shot with two outs in the first inning and again in the sixth to mark the first time since Sounds left fielder Sean Halton hit two in one game on August 22 last season. Parker hit his in the sixth; and Garner sent his to left field in the ninth to pull the Sounds to within one.
As for other offensive chances, the Sounds were held to six hits by Omaha pitchers, who combined to fan 14 Nashville batters, helping to preserve their first-inning production.
The Storm Chasers jumped on Sounds starting pitcher Johnny Hellweg (1-1), who struggled to find control in the 36-pitch first inning, issuing three walks and chucking two wild pitches to give up five runs. Omaha second baseman Johnny Giavotella knocked a double into shallow right field under a sliding Garner, to get the Storm Chasers their first two runs of the frame. They plated two more on two fielder's choice groundouts later in the inning and another on Hellweg's second wild pitch.
The Sounds picked up a run in the third inning, as Scooter Gennett logged a base hit up the gap at second to score Blake Davis from second, who walked before stealing a bag. Gennett finished 1-for-4, and has now hit safely in each of the six games he has played for a team-high batting average of .435.
Hellweg offered his fourth and final walk in the third inning, this one to Adam Moore, who scored on Irving Falu's double to the warning track. The 24-year-old took the loss after four innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on five hits with four strikeouts.
From the 'pen, Donovan Hand fired a flawless fifth inning in which he struck out the side on 13 pitches, before Frankie De La Cruz took over in the sixth. De La Cruz walked two and retired two to set the table for Chris Jakubauskas, who after sending a wild pitch that put both runners in scoring position got the final out of the sixth on a deep fly ball to right field. Jakubauskas stayed in for the final two scoreless innings, collecting three strikeouts along the way.
Notching the win for the Chasers was starter Nate Adcock (1-0), who accounted for seven strikeouts. Donnie Joseph earned the save, his first, despite drama in the ninth on Garner's jack.
The Sounds look to level the series Saturday night against Omaha at Werner Park. Starting on the hill for the Sounds will be LHP Zach Kroenke (0-1, 9.00) against an Omaha pitcher TBD. The game will be broadcast on the Sounds' flagship station 102.5 FM "The Game" as well as NashvilleSounds.com; Jeff Hem on the call.
The Sounds return to Greer Stadium on Saturday, April 20, to open a four-game series against Omaha with a NEWS 2 Fireworks show following the 6:35 p.m. game.
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