RedHawks Drop Series Finale In Nashville

The Nashville Sounds scored twice in the seventh inning to break a tie and defeat the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 5-3, in the teams' series finale before 5,744 at Greer Stadium Sunday night.

For the third straight game, the RedHawks (44-39) were able to get on the board in the first inning. Jonathan Villar started the game with a triple, and Marwin Gonzalez followed with a sac fly to deep right-center field to make it 1-0.

With two outs in the second inning, Jose Martinez blasted his first Triple-A home run to extend the lead to 2-0.

The Sounds (29-55) were able to rally in the fourth, producing three straight run-scoring hits with two outs to take the lead. Josh Prince knocked a single to right field, and RedHawks outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin made an accurate throw to home plate. Hunter Morris was able to evade Carlos Perez's tag to score Nashville's first run.

Hainley Statia followed with a game-tying RBI double, and Blake Davis delivered another double to give the Sounds a 3-2 lead.

With none on and two outs in the fifth, the RedHawks showed they could rally as well. Brandon Laird and George Springer both singled, continuing the inning for Jon Singleton, who sent a base hit to center field to tie the game.

The Sounds put runners at second and third base with one out in the bottom of the inning, but RedHawks pitcher Philip Humber struck out Blake Lalli and got Prince to ground out to end the threat.

Humber would exit the game after the fifth inning. He did not figure in the decision after allowing three runs and a season-high 10 hits. Humber struck out three and did not allow walk.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh. Caleb Gindl started the inning with a home run off Eric Berger (3-2) to put the Sounds back in front.

Later in the inning, the Sounds had runners at the corners with one out. Nashville tried a squeeze play with Lalli at the plate, but Lalli could not get the bunt down. Perez then threw back to third base, but the throw was errant and went into left field, allowing Robinzon Diaz to score.

In the ninth, the RedHawks got a leadoff single by Martinez, but on the very next pitch, Robbie Grossman hit into a double play. Sounds closer Rob Wooten then struck out Villar to end the game and earn his 17th save.

Nashville reliever Tim Dillard (1-1) earned the win, retiring all seven hitters he faced. Although it was Dillard's first win of the season, it was the 36th of his Sounds career, giving him the franchise's career record.

After taking three of five in Nashville, the RedHawks return to Oklahoma City to start a three-game series with the Albuquerque Isotopes Monday night at 7:05 p.m.