Nashville Sounds take two from Memphis Redbirds

Jason Pridie Hits Two Home Runs, Drives In Six During Doubleheader

Nashville, TN – Jason Pridie had a huge night, while Barry Zito and Zach Neal both threw seven-inning complete games to help Nashville sweep Memphis in a doubleheader at AutoZone Park on Thursday night. The Sounds took the first game, 3-2, before coming out on top in the nightcap, 7-4.

Zito started on a roll and made it all the way to the finish line in the first game. The lefty breezed through the first three before Memphis tacked on a run in the fourth. He pitched to contact, failing to record a strikeout in a start for the first time this season. Zito issued three free passes, but the ‘Birds had just four hits off him.

The defense behind Zito came up big during the sixth. After Ed Easley went deep to lead off the frame, Nashville’s lead was down to one. Memphis recorded back-to-back singles right after the solo shot, but Joey Wendle nabbed a liner off the bat of Cody Stanley and flipped the ball to Ryan Roberts who was covering second base for the double play.

Catcher Carson Blair ended the frame by throwing out Stephen Piscotty trying to steal second base and Zito pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to improve his record to 6-7.

The 37-year-old got his offensive backing from PCL All-Star Jason Pridie. The outfielder broke the scoreless tie in the fourth with his 10th long ball of the season. He added an all-important insurance run the very next frame when his sacrifice fly scored Anthony Aliotti. The three RBIs tied a season high for Pridie, whose RBI total escalated to 52 on the year. He would add a three more later in the night.

The Sounds’ six hits all came from different players in the lineup. Craig Gentry and Max Muncy both hit their eighth doubles of the season, but Nashville was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position during the first game.

Nashville wasted no time jumping on top of Memphis is the nightcap and it was Pridie leading the way once again.

The slugger carried his offensive attack on Memphis into the second game of the doubleheader, showing how fun it was to hit at AutoZone Park on Thursday night. After driving in all three of Nashville’s runs during the first game, the PCL All-Star unloaded his second home run of the night to centerfield to give the Sounds an early 3-0 advantage. The 31-year-old ended his night by driving in a total of six runs during the doubleheader.

Neal carried the lead and held on over four innings before Memphis squared things at 3-3 in the fifth. After the Redbirds collected three extra-base hits in the second to place two runs on the board, Memphis scored its third run courtesy of an Ed Easley sacrifice fly in the fifth.

The right-hander still pitched well and received his team-leading seventh victory during his seven-inning complete game. He surrendered three runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out two. The seventh victory came in just his 11th appearance this season, as Nashville moved to 8-2 in games started by Neal.

The Sounds busted the game open with a four-run sixth inning. Before Memphis could get an out in the inning, Roberts singled, Pridie walked and Dayan Viciedo recorded a base hit to pack the bags for Max Muncy.

The third baseman responded appropriately, lining a single to left that plated a pair. Aliotti and Bryan Anderson got in on the fun before the inning was over, both grabbing run-scoring singles and putting the Sounds out of reach.

Despite being outhit in the second game, Nashville swept their first doubleheader of the season and moved to 41-47 overall. Viciedo extended his hitting streak to seven games with a single in both contests, helping the Sounds improve their record on Thursdays to 4-11.

The five-game series continues on Friday night at AutoZone Park. The Sounds will be looking to move the winning streak to four games in the 7:05pm contest. Chris Bassitt (2-6, 3.71) is scheduled to pitch for Nashville and Memphis has yet to announce its starter.

Box Score – Game 1

 

 

 Box Score – Game 2