VanMeter Plays Hero as Sounds Swamp Tides with Three-Run Ninth

NORFOLK, Va. – Down to their final three outs, the Nashville Sounds (54-45, 14-11) put together a ninth inning comeback for the ages, capped off by Josh VanMeter’s go-ahead two-run blast to give the Sounds a 5-4 win over the Norfolk Tides (62-37, 14-11) on Saturday night at Harbor Park.

Trailing 4-2 entering the final frame, Monte Harrison began the rally with a double into the right field corner. Luis Urías made it back-to-back two-baggers, plating Harrison and bringing the Sounds within a run. That set the table for VanMeter, who launched the only Sounds homer of the night just over the left field wall to put Nashville ahead 5-4.

Thyago Vieira (S, 4) picked up the save in a 1-2-3 ninth that was not without some more excitement. Tides batter Lewin Diaz gave it a good rip with a deep fly ball to center field, but Harrison put the contest away with a leaping grab on the warning track that saved extra bases.

Before the ninth inning, Nashville had several opportunities to get back in it, especially in the sixth. Patrick Dorrian doubled but was thrown out trying to leg out a triple. Cam Devanney and Noah Campbell followed with back-to-back singles, but Devanney was thrown out at home after Harrison’s single to center failed to bring home the Sounds first baseman. It was a rare four hit, no run inning.

The bats were alive with two-outs to begin the night for Nashville, with Skye Bolt coming through with an RBI single that scored VanMeter and put the good guys up 1-0 in the top half. Norfolk answered on the first pitch they saw, with Connor Norby hitting a leadoff solo homer to draw things even after one.

In the top of the fourth, Harrison came through to retake the lead for the Sounds as his RBI knock plated Bolt to make it 2-1. Unfortunately, the lead was short lived, as Norfolk tied the game with three hits, then took the lead on an error by VanMeter, making it 4-2 in the fourth.

Luis Contreras (3-2) took the win with 3.0 scoreless innings in relief. The right-hander held Norfolk to a single hit with four strikeouts. Pedro Fernandez worked 5.0 innings, giving up four runs (3 ER) while also striking out eight in the contest, a new season high.

The Sounds amassed 14 hits on the night with contributions up-and-down the lineup. Bolt and Harrison led the charge with three hits each, respectively. VanMeter and Dorrian also had multi-hit efforts. As a team, the Sounds did plenty of damage with runners in scoring position, going 5-for-11.

Nashville wraps up the road trip in the Old Dominion state with a Sunday afternoon contest. Sounds starter Jason Alexander will rematch right-hander Ryan Watson. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CDT from Harbor Park in Norfolk.

Post-Game Notes

• Josh VanMeter’s two-run homer in the ninth was his fifth home run and third go-ahead blast of the season. VanMeter’s multi-hit and walk improved his on-base percentage to .470.
• Luis Urías doubled in his final at-bat, extending his on-base streak to 11 games. Urías is batting .279 (12-for-43) with 13 runs, two double, three homers, eight RBI and more walks (13) than strikeouts (9). He has a .456 OBP and .991 OPS over the span.
• Pedro Fernandez struck out a season-high eight batters in the no decision. It was his most strikeouts in an affiliated game since May 7, 2016, with Advanced-A Wilmington vs. Myrtle Beach (also 8).

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].