Sounds Blank RedHawks in Series Opener, 1-0
Published on April 8, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Right-hander Frankie De La Cruz was magnificent in his return to the Nashville Sounds, combining with a pair of relievers on a four-hit shutout of the Oklahoma City RedHawks in a 1-0 victory on Monday evening in the opener of a four-game series at Greer Stadium.
The win was the second shutout among Nashville's first three victories this season.
De La Cruz (1-0) faced one batter over the minimum through six innings of outstanding pitching. The veteran allowed only Trevor Crowe's first-inning single and struck out five batters in his six scoreless frames.
Michael Olmsted worked one scoreless inning of relief before Rob Wooten closed out the contest with a pair of scoreless frames and thwarted a ninth-inning RedHawks rally to secure his second save of the year.
The Sounds scored the game's only run in the bottom of the second inning on a well-executed hit-and-run by shortstop Blake Davis.
After Sean Halton opened the frame by reaching on a fielding error by RedHawks third baseman Jimmy Paredes, the Sounds outfielder broke for second and drew the Oklahoma City shortstop towards second base, allowing Davis' ground ball to go right through the vacated spot into the left-center gap for an RBI double that plated the only run that Nashville would ultimately need.
Oklahoma City had only three baserunners through the first eight innings before putting together a rally against Wooten in the ninth.
With one out, Robbie Grossman and Jake Elmore blooped weakly-struck balls into the shallow outfield for back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. The right-hander recovered to catch Trevor Crowe looking at a strike three curve ball for the second out before right fielder Cole Garner tracked down a Brandon Laird line drive at full gallop in the right-center gap to bring the game to a close.
Nashville second baseman Scooter Gennett wasted little time extending his season-opening hitting streak, opening the bottom of the first inning with a single to up the streak to five. Caleb Gindl broke a season-opening 0-for-17 slump with a double in the sixth inning.
Rudy Owens (0-1) took a hard-luck loss for the 'Hawks, allowing only one unearned run on three hits over five innings of action in his first start of the season.
The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. meeting on Tuesday evening. Right-hander Tyler Thornburg (0-0, 1.80) will make his second start of the year for the Sounds. Oklahoma City will counter with right-hander Ross Seaton, who will make his first appearance of the season.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 8, 2013
- Express Rocks Iowa in Series Opener 13-5 - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Outduel RedHawks, 1-0 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Redbirds Roll Zephyrs 18-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sounds Blank RedHawks in Series Opener, 1-0 - Nashville Sounds
- LHP Ted Lilly Scheduled for Rehab Start with Topes Wednesday - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Tonight's Bees Game Postponed - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- LHP Beliveau Designated for Assignment; C Robinson Chirinos Assigned to Round Rock - Round Rock Express
- Round Rock Express Start Four-Game Series against Iowa Cubs On - Round Rock Express
- Whitney Myer to Sing National Anthem on Opening Night - Reno Aces
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