Rangel Ravelo extends hitting streak to 11 games in loss
Nashville, TN – The Nashville Sounds faltered in the first sellout of the year at First Tennessee Park as they dropped a 7-4 decision to the New Orleans Zephyrs Saturday night in front of 10,413 fans.
Trouble found Sounds’ starter Chris Smith in the third when New Orleans scored four runs to break the game open. Xavier Scruggs’ single past a diving Renato Nunez scored Kenny Wilson as the ball trickled down the left field line.
Later in the inning, Zephyrs right fielder Destin Hood launched a 1-1 breaking ball over the center field wall for a three-run home run.
The Zephyrs regained the lead in the top of the fifth as Hood continued to haunt the Sounds. He drove in his fourth run of the night with a single to left to score Scruggs.
Eduard Santos came on in relief of Smith to start the sixth. The Zephyrs added a run on a groundout to second by Kenny Wilson to up their lead to 6-4 after six.
The score stayed that way until the top of the ninth inning when the Zephyrs added another tally on a double to left by Xavier Scruggs.
The Sounds threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning as the first two batters of the inning got on base to start a potential rally. It was shutdown in a hurry as New Orleans closer Andre Rienzo retired the next three batters of the inning to record his third save of the season.
The series continues Sunday afternoon at First Tennessee Park. Nashville will send right-hander Jesse Hahn (0-0, 0.63) to the mound to face fellow right-hander Paul Clemens (1-2, 9.75) for the Zephyrs. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05pm.
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
