Bracewell's Gem Leads Sounds over Cubs

Ben Bracewell threw six shutout innings and the Nashville Sounds got another home run from Franklin Barreto in a 5-3 win in front of 8,320 fans at First Tennessee Park Sunday night.
Bracewell limited the Cubs to just two hits - a single in the first and a single in the third. The right-hander walked a pair and struck out four in his fourth quality start of the season (first with Nashville).
The offense supplied Bracewell with some early support when shortstop Franklin Barreto launched a solo homer in the bottom of the first inning. It was Barreto's ninth of the season with Nashville and second in as many games.
Ramón Laureano and Steve Lombardozzi started the bottom of the third with back-to-back singles. Laureano scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Barreto to make it a 2-0 game.
Brett Vertigan and Lombardozzi teamed up for another run in the fifth. Vertigan started the frame with a base hit and stolen base. He went to third on a throwing error by catcher Ali Solis. Lombardozzi then gave the Sounds a 3-0 lead with a sacrifice fly. The first baseman did the same thing in the seventh to give the Sounds a 4-0 lead.
The two teams exchanged runs in the eighth when Ali Solis homered for the Cubs, and Melvin Mercedes plated Sheldon Neuse with a run-scoring single for the Sounds.
It got tight in the ninth when the Sounds used four pitchers to record the final three outs. Iowa scored two runs to trim the deficit to 5-3 before Liam Hendriks entered for Nashville and got the final two outs of the game with runners in scoring position.
Bracewell earned his second win of the season and Hendriks notched his first save.
The Sounds are off for the Triple-A All-Star break until Thursday, July 12 when they begin the unofficial second half in Des Moines against the Cubs.
Post-Game Notes

• With tonight's 5-3 win, the Sounds improved to 42-45 on the season.
• Franklin Barreto's home run in the first inning was his second in as many games. It's the third time this season Barreto has homered in back-to-back games (5/22 & 6/3 with Nashville and 6/20 & 6/22 with Oakland).
• Ben Bracewell notched his fourth quality start of the season and first with Nashville (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 2 BB, 4 K).

The 2018 season is the Sounds' 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics' top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.