Dropped Fly Ball in Left Field Allows Three Runs in Sixth
Nashville, TN – The Nashville Sounds took full advantage of a huge error in the sixth inning on their way to a 4-1 win over the Fresno Grizzlies in front of 4,971 fans Monday night at First Tennessee Park.
With two outs and the bases loaded in a 0-0 game in the bottom of the sixth, Fresno left fielder Jon Kemmer dropped a fly ball hit by Rangel Ravelo that would have ended the inning. Chad Pinder, Renato Nunez and Jake Smolinski raced around to score the first three runs of the game.
For good measure, catcher Bryan Anderson rifled a double down the left field line to tack on a run and make it 4-0.
The right-hander retired the first 10 batters he faced. He worked six innings and allowed one run on three hits. The lone run he allowed was a solo homer hit by Matt Duffy to start the top of the seventh inning.
Over his last three starts, Neal is 3-0 and has allowed only two runs in 21 1/3 innings. He lowered his ERA to 2.53 and improved to 5-1 with the win.
Tucker Healy came on to relieve Neal after he allowed the homer to Duffy and a walk to Jon Singleton. Healy recorded back-to-back strikeouts and retired Jack Mayfield on a pop out to end the inning.
Battling the rain that started in the second inning, Healy retired the side in order in the eighth. J.B. Wendelken took over in the ninth and struck out all three batters he faced to slam the door.
With their third straight win, and fifth in their last six games at First Tennessee Park, the Sounds are 19-19 and even at .500 for the first time since May 2nd. They will go for their first series sweep in the finale.
The fourth and final game of the series is set for Tuesday night at First Tennessee Park. Left-hander Dillon Overton (1-4, 4.89) starts for the Sounds against left-hander Tommy Shirley (3-2, 3.00) for the Grizzlies. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.
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
