Nashville Sounds lose 7-1 to Omaha Storm Chasers at Greer Stadium

Nashville, TN – The visiting Omaha Storm Chasers used strong pitching and 12 hits against the Nashville Sounds in Tuesday morning’s day game at Greer Stadium to defeat the home team 7-1, and win the four-game series, 3-1.

The Sounds connected for seven hits on the day and only reached scoring position once before Hunter Morris’ two-out home run in the ninth.

Nevertheless, the Sounds were outpaced by the Storm Chasers, who used a steady attack throughout the contest, picking up a pair of runs in the first inning. Johnny Giavotella doubled down the right-field line to get things started, driving in David Lough, who singled from the leadoff spot. Giavotella crossed home plate to make it 2-0 when third baseman Stephen Parker sailed a throw over first base for his third error on the season.

Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz allowed another two runs to the Chasers in the third inning via two hits, two walks and one hit by pitch. Lough, who went 4-for-5 on the day and 12-for-19 in the series, tripled to leadoff the frame and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Max Ramirez. Anthony Seratelli hit a single into right field to plate the inning’s second run.

De La Cruz was charged with the loss, his second, letting up four runs, three earned, on six hits over 3.1 innings of work. Reliever Donovan Hand entered with runners on the corners in the fourth inning and found two quick outs to prevent further damage.

Hand continued to pitch 2.2 innings for Nashville, but watched his scoreless streak come to an end at 9 innings over six appearances, when Brett Hayes homered in the fifth. He allowed one more on the day, as Lough singled home Irving Falu in the same inning. Hayes homered again in the seventh off of Travis Webb, who had not allowed a run in six previous appearances. All four of Hayes’ home runs this season have come off Sounds pitchers.

Rob Wooten finished the game on the hill for the Sounds, turning in one scoreless inning. Lefty Ryan Verdugo (1-1) picked up the win for Omaha, scattering five hits across five frames of scoreless baseball.

After a PCL off day Wednesday, the Sounds welcome cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds to Greer Stadium on Thursday night. Getting the nod for the 7:05pm start is Nashville’s RHP Johnny Hellweg (1-2, 4.85) against the Redbirds lefty Tyler Lyons (2-1, 4.26). The Sounds will be wearing their retro blue uniforms as a part of BURGER KING’s Throwback Thursdays, where fans can enjoys $2.00 concession items.

Box Score

Omaha Storm Chasers (12-7) 7, Nashville Sounds (5-12) 1
April 23rd, 2013