Nashville Sounds nab 8-4 win at Tacoma Rainers

Young 19-Year-Old Makes Impressive Debut For Nashville In Win

Tacoma, WA – Young Jesus Zambrano provided a welcomed spark during the second game of a doubleheader against Tacoma on Sunday night, making a strong debut and helping Nashville to an 8-4 win in the series finale.

It had been a tough series for the Nashville pitching staff going into Sunday’s series finale, but when the youthful Zambrano was called upon, he answered in a big way. Fresh off his 19th birthday just one week ago, the right-hander was promoted from the AZL A’s earlier in the day to make his first start above the Arizona League level in his brief three-year career. He did not disappoint.

Having last pitched against the AZL Diamondbacks on August 25th, Zambrano tied a season high by striking out four. He took a no-decision in the contest due to being relieved after four innings, but he surrendered just two runs on three hits.

The only blemish on his line came when Jabari Blash smoked a two-run shot in the first. Zambrano also walked one but was very efficient with his 60 pitches and aided the Sounds in avoiding the sweep.

Just like the first game, Nashville sped off to an early lead in the first inning, plating three runs on three hits. Joey Wendle hit his second double of the day, pushing his total to 40 on the season, and scored two batters later when Jason Pridie followed suit. Pridie and Brent Morel would score when Rangel Ravelo drove a single to left. The runs were marked as Ravelo’s 14th and 15th RBIs this season and the first baseman was not done.

He stepped in with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth and hit a groundball back to the mound that helped Wendle score another run. It started a big inning for the Sounds, who collected another three runs. Max Muncy delivered the big blow, hitting a double that plated Pridie and Morel once again. The next batter, Craig Gentry, scored Muncy via a single and after Carson Blair’s solo home run in the seventh, the Sounds were rolling 8-4 after six and a half.

Reliever Dan Otero eventually locked up his second win with the Sounds, tossing a scoreless fifth inning. R.J. Alvarez allowed back-to-back home runs to Blash and Mike Zunino in the sixth, but limited any further damage, and Angel Castro closed it out with a scoreless ninth.

With the conclusion of the series, the Sounds will head back to First Tennessee Park to play their final four games in front of a home crowd this season. Former Atlanta Braves star Fred McGriff will be on hand during Monday’s game to participate in the first pitch and sign autographs for 20 minutes.

The pitching matchup between Nashville and the Round Rock Express will feature lefty Sean Nolin (2-2, 2.95) and right-hander Phil Klein (1-0, 2.92). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.

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