Albuquerque, NM – Left-hander Ross Detwiler tossed five strong innings in relief to help guide the Nashville Sounds to a 7-5 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes Wednesday night at Isotopes Park.
Fresh off being acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Indians, Detwiler limited the ‘Topes to one run in his five frames after starter Jesse Hahn went one inning in a planned shortened start.
When he entered in the second, the game was even at 0-0 but it didn’t stay that way for long. The first batter Detwiler faced – Ben Paulsen – clubbed a solo homer to right field to give Albuquerque (43-54) a 1-0 lead.
By then the Sounds (53-45) had built a 4-1 lead thanks to a big fourth inning. The frame started when Max Muncy drew a walk against Albuquerque starter Jeff Hoffman.
Renato Nunez singled and Joey Wendle bounced into a fielder’s choice to put runners at the corners with one out. Matt Olson drew a walk to load the bases for Colin Walsh who leveled the game with a sacrifice fly.
The red-hot Bruce Maxwell gave the Sounds the lead for good when he sent a single up the middle scoring Wendle. It extended the hitting streak to eight games for Maxwell who finished the night 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI.
The offense kept churning as Billy Burns and Jaycob Brugman followed Maxwell with run-scoring singles of their own. Brugman’s infield knock made it a 4-1 game.
Detwiler went on cruise control before handing over to Wendelken who tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth inning. He got an assist from Brugman who threw out Tim Smalling at the plate trying to score from second on a base hit by Rafael Ynoa.
For good measure, Nashville plated three more runs in the ninth. Maxwell doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch before being sent home on Burns’ third hit of the night. Chad Pinder pitched in with a run-scoring double and Max Muncy made it 7-1 with a sacrifice fly.
Ryan Brasiser started the bottom of the ninth but allowed four runs on three hits and a pair of walks before being lifted. Eduard Santos relieved him and got Ynoa to bounce into a fielder’s choice to end it.
The series finale is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Isotopes Park. Right-hander Zach Neal (7-2, 3.21) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Eddie Butler (4-0, 4.64). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm CST.
The 2016 season is the Sounds’ 19th year in the Pacific Coast League and their second as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling 615.690.4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com
