Turang's Homer Walks Off Gwinnett in 10-Inning Thriller

NASHVILLE – The Vihuelas de Nashville (35-31) did not lead until it mattered as Brice Turang mashed a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 10^th to secure a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Xolos de Gwinnett (29-38) in front of a sellout crowd at First Horizon Park. Nashville clinched their first series victory since April 25-30 vs. Omaha with the win.

Nashville faced a 2-0 deficit early, plating their first run of the night in the fourth inning. They found themselves in a great scoring opportunity in the sixth, loading the bases against Gwinnett starter Michael Soroka with no outs. Payton Henry worked a full-count walk to score Sal Frelick and tie the ballgame, but the Vihuelas proceeded to go down in order, leaving the bases loaded.

Despite hiccups in the third and fourth innings, Pedro Fernandez turned in his second quality start of the season, allowing two earned runs in six frames. The bullpen kept the tie intact as J.C. Mejia tossed two scoreless innings. Thyago Vieira, with help from the Vihuelas’ defense, worked around three walks in the ninth.

Gwinnett took advantage of an errant throw by Nashville to tally a run in the top of the 10th inning, breaking the long-intact tie. But Ethan Small (W, 1-2) limited the damage, leaving the Vihuelas down by just one heading to the bottom of the frame.

Frelick tied the game with a single that scored extra-innings runner Patrick Dorrian. A batter later, Turang unloaded on a Beau Burrows (L, 2-2) slider at the knees, depositing the baseball into the right-center bleachers and sending the capacity Hit City crowd into a frenzy. Nashville has claimed four consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Nashville will eye number five tomorrow night with righty Janson Junk (2-4, 4.20) on the hill. Gwinnett will counter with southpaw Justus Sheffield (0-2, 13.50). First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. central time from First Horizon Park.

Post-Game Notes

• Before tonight, Brice Turang’s last walk-off hit came on June 26, 2022 – also against Gwinnett. He vanquished the Stripers in the 11^th inning with a single.
• Turang has homered in three straight games for the first time in his professional career. He’s picked up nine RBI in the series so far.
• Payton Henry threw out two would-be base stealers tonight, extending Nashville’s league-leading season total to 32.
• Henry continued his recent tear with a two-hit, one RBI night. In 17 games dating back to the beginning of May, Henry is batting .377 (26-for-69) with three home runs, 11 RBI and a .951 OPS.
• 10,167 fans were in attendance tonight, the sixth sellout of the season at First Horizon Park and the 127^th in ballpark history.

The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and play at First Horizon Park. Season ticket memberships for the 2023 season are on sale now. For more information call 615-690-4487 or e-mail [email protected].