Sounds Use Eight-Run Third to Rout Redbirds
The Nashville Sounds scored eight runs in the third inning on their way to a 16-3 blowout win over the Memphis Redbirds in front of 5,016 fans Wednesday afternoon at First Tennessee Park.
13 batters went to the plate in the huge inning. The eight runs scored in the frame are the most since the Sounds scored nine runs in the sixth inning back on April 12, 2015 at Colorado Springs.
Andrew Lambo and Ryon Healy both had a pair of hits in the inning. Their four hits combined to drive in five of the eight runs.
Other hits in the frame came from Rangel Ravelo, Joey Wendle and Jaycob Brugman. Chad Pinder drew a walk and was hit by a pitch and scored runs on both occasions.
The eight-run outburst came after the Sounds had already built a 4-0 lead. Lambo got the scoring started with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.
Ravelo blasted a two-run homer in the second off Memphis starter Arturo Reyes who lasted just two-plus innings. He was charged with eight earned runs in the loss.
The beneficiary of the offensive support was Nashville starter Dillon Overton. The southpaw worked seven strong innings and allowed two unearned runs on just four hits. Overton issued one walk and struck out six.
Over his last six starts, he is 6-0 with a 1.67 ERA. He joins Zach Neal as Nashville starters who have won six straight decisions this season.
The Sounds pounded out 18 hits, just one shy of their season-high 19 on May 26 in Las Vegas. Lambo led the charge with a season-high four hits and five RBI. Wendle and Pinder had three hits apiece and six different players racked up multi-hit games. Five different players recorded at least two runs batted in.
Pinder homered for the second time in as many days and scored four times.
With the win, the Sounds are 40-26 on the season. They're the first Triple-A team to the 40-win mark in 2016. Last year's Sounds team didn't get to 40 wins until July 9.
The series finale is set for Thursday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Chris Jensen makes the first Triple-A start of his career against right-hander Jerome Williams (1-1, 1.93). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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.