In a game with plenty of fireworks on Independence Day it was the Colorado Springs Sky Sox who emerged victorious over the Nashville Sounds 9-8 Tuesday night. The two teams combined for 17 runs on 24 hits but it was a costly error in the bottom of the eighth inning that pushed the Sky Sox over the top.

With the score tied 8-8, one out, and a runner on second base for the Sky Sox in the bottom of the eighth inning, Lewis Brinson grounded a ball to Sounds shortstop Marcus Semien. Semien collected the ball smoothly but air-mailed the throw over the head of first baseman Matt McBride to put runners on the corners. Brinson swiped second base and Ivan De Jesus Jr. was intentionally walked to load the bases at set up a double play opportunity. Nick Noonan stepped up the plate and ambushed the first pitch he saw. He served the ball into shallow right field to collect his 1,000th career hit and plate the game-winning run.

The Sounds raced out to a 4-0 advantage before the Sky Sox got a chance to take their hacks. Jaff Decker, Semien, and Joey Wendle each collected singles before an out was recorded, then Mark Canha blasted a three-run home run to complete the early onslaught.

The Sky Sox grabbed three runs back in the home half of the first inning as Brinson doubled into the left field corner to score Mauricio Dubon from first base. Then Garrett Cooper crushed a two-run no-doubter of home run over the center field fence to trim the deficit to 4-3.

With one out in the second inning, Semien slugged the first home run of his Sounds career with a solo shot to left field to extend the Sounds lead to 5-3. Sky Sox starter, Hiram Burgos was chased from the ball game after just an inning and two thirds as he was touched up for five runs on seven hits including a pair of home runs. Sounds starter Chris Jensen also surrendered five runs on seven hits but lasted 4 2/3 innings.

Renato Nunez got in on the long ball action with his Pacific Coast League-leading 22nd home run of the season on a missile over the fence in center field in the top of the fifth inning. Brinson picked up his second double of the night in the bottom half of the inning and came around to score on a Brett Phillips single to once again cut the Sounds lead to one run.

The Sky Sox used a three-run flurry in the sixth inning to overtake the Sounds 8-6. Brinson chopped a two-run single over the outstretched arm of a leaping Yairo Munoz who was in on the cut of the infield grass. Then Brinson was brought home on a double from Ivan De Jesus Jr.

Nunez delivered the goods for Nashville in the top of the seventh inning as he roped a two-bagger to drive in a pair of runs with two outs in the frame and knot the game at eight runs apiece.
Tucker Healy was charged with his second loss of the season as he yielded an unearned run in the eighth inning.

The Sounds continue a four-game series with the Sky Sox on Wednesday with a doubleheader. Right-hander Corey Walter (2-4, 5.48) starts for the Sounds in game one against right-hander Taylor Jungmann (4-1, 1.53) for the Sky Sox. They Sounds starting pitcher for game two is yet to be named while the Sky Sox will send right-hander Tim Dillard (2-1, 5.44) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CST.

The United States men’s soccer team will begin its pursuit of a continental championship in Nashville on Saturday. For the first time ever, Nashville will host a CONCACAF Gold Cup match as Nissan Stadium will be the venue. The US will take on Panama as part of a Group B doubleheader. The other game will feature Martinique vs Nicaragua.
CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, announced the 14 host stadiums for the 2017 Gold Cup last fall. Nashville’s Nissan Stadium will host two Group B matches on July 8. The first of those two matches will be the United States against Panama at 3:30 PM.
CONCACAF said it was committed in its selection to choosing venues in cities, like Nashville, that are emerging markets for soccer.
“We’re excited to bring the Gold Cup to new markets across the country. These cities have all proved ready and eager to host our region’s marquee soccer championship, and welcome world class international soccer next summer,” said CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio in a press release. “With matches also set for some of our more popular venues over the years, such as Dallas, Los Angeles and New York, next year’s Gold Cup will highlight the top-tier sporting status of international soccer across the nation.”
Nashville hosted the US in a game against Guatemala in 2015 that drew a state record 44,385 to Nissan Stadium on July 4. On October 8, 2016, more than forty thousand fans (40,287) saw Mexico play New Zealand at Nissan Stadium.
While Nashville has hosted several friendlies for the senior national team and Olympic qualifiers, this is the first Gold Cup match in the city.
Other cities which will host matches are Santa Clara, CA, Cleveland, OH; San Antonio, TX; Arlington, TX; Houston, TX; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; Tampa, Fla.; Harrison, N.J.; Pasadena, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Frisco, Texas; and Glendale, Ariz.
Twelve teams in three groups of four will compete in a round-robin before a knockout tournament determines the Gold Cup winner. The top 2 teams in each group advance to the knockout round. Qualifying teams are: United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Canada, Curacao, French Guiana, Jamaica, and Martinique
Ticket information is available at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B005239BBE7696A?CAMEFROM=CFC_MLG_GC17_MAIN_NASH

Ender Inciarte

Over the past year, Ender Inciarte has been accurately described as one of baseball’s top defensive outfielders and the consistent catalyst of a much-improved Braves offense. Now the Venezuelan center fielder can also be referred to as an All-Star.

Inciarte learned of his first career All-Star selection just before recording three hits and adding yet another highlight catch to his collection during Sunday afternoon’s 4-3, 12-inning win over the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum.
“I was very surprised, I really wasn’t expecting that,” Inciarte said. “I never thought about it the whole time. I can’t express with words how happy I am for this opportunity.”

Inciarte was one of seven National Leaguers who were chosen by Major League Baseball to round out the roster. He was the only Braves player selected to participate in this year’s Midsummer Classic.
“What a great opportunity for him to go showcase his skills and experience that,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Inciarte has significantly contributed to the success of the Braves, who have won 11 of their past 15 games and played just one game under .500 through this season’s first 81 games. The 26-year-old center fielder has hit .307 with a .353 on-base percentage. He ranks third in the Majors with 103 hits, and his 2.1 fWAR ranked sixth among qualified NL outfielders entering Sunday.
While the offensive contributions have significantly enhanced his value, Inciarte makes some of his most significant contributions on the defensive end. Such was the case when he raced into shallow center field to make a sliding catch with the bases loaded and one out in Sunday’s win. He quickly rose to his feet and prevented the A’s from attempting to score what would have been the winning run.
“That inning, the sun wasn’t bothering me too much unless it was to my right side,” Inciarte said. “That pitch, I came a couple steps closer. I just wanted to catch it and throw it back to home as quick as I could. We ended up holding up the runners and getting the out, and we got the win, which is the most important thing.”
Inciarte captured his first Gold Glove Award last season when he made an MLB-high 11 five-star catches (catch probability 0-25 percent) per Statcast™. This year, he leads the league again with three 5-star outs and ranks second with 10 4-star outs (catch probability 26-50 percent).
“This is what I’ve been dreaming for my entire life, and now making it happen,” Inciarte said. “Hopefully it’s going to be more than one time, but it’s so big for me, and I’m very excited to go and hopefully have a great time.”

On Tuesday, July 11, at 6:30 p.m. CT, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International’s independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Nashville Sounds infielder Renato Nuñez and right-handed pitchers Paul Blackburn and Chris Smith have been named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team as announced by the league.

The 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m. CST. The Pacific Coast League All-Stars take on the International League All-Stars at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. The game will be televised on MLB Network.

Nuñez, 23, is leading the Pacific Coast League with 20 home runs and is tied for third with 37 extra-base hits. He’s hitting .252 (67-for-266) with 44 RBI, 39 runs scored and 17 doubles. He leads the Sounds with 11 multi-RBI games and is second on the team with 18 multi-hit games.

It’s the second career All-Star Game appearance for the Venezuelan native who was named a Midwest League mid-season All-Star in 2013. In 2014 and 2015, Nuñez was selected to play for the World Team in the MLB All-Star Futures Game.

Blackburn, 23, is second in the Pacific Coast League with a 3.05 ERA and is tied for third with a 1.19 WHIP. In addition to ERA and WHIP, Blackburn leads the Sounds in games started (14), quality starts (6), wins (5), and innings pitched (79.2).

The All-Star Game nod is the third of Blackburn’s career. The California native was named a 2016 Southern League All-Star and 2014 Midwest League All-Star.

Smith, 36, is fourth in the Pacific Coast League with a 3.18 ERA and is seventh with a 1.29 WHIP. He leads the Sounds in strikeouts (58) and is second in innings pitched (68.0). It’s the second time Smith has been recognized by the PCL this year as he won Pitcher of the Week for his efforts from June 5-11th.

It’s the second time in the veteran right-hander’s career being named a mid-season All-Star. Smith was named a 2006 Eastern League mid-season All-Star.

The three Sounds join pitching coach Rick Rodriguez who was previously named as the pitching coach for the Pacific Coast League All-Stars. Under his guidance, Nashville’s pitching staff leads the PCL with a team ERA of 3.54.

The complete Pacific Coast League and International League All-Star rosters can be found at www.milb.com

The Oklahoma City Dodgers spoiled the Independence Day celebration with a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Nashville Sounds in front of a sellout crowd of 11,764 fans Monday night.

The largest gathering in First Tennessee Park history saw the Dodgers plate a pair of runs with two outs in the top of the ninth after a costly Nashville error.

With two outs in the ninth, and the Sounds (40-43) leading 5-4, Drew Maggi hit a bouncer to third that Yairo Muñoz fielded and fired to first base. Sounds first baseman Jermaine Curtis dropped the ball and the game went on.

Instead of the Sounds celebrating a win, Alex Verdugo came to the plate with two on and two out and ripped a double off the right field wall to score both runners and give Oklahoma City a 6-5 lead they wouldn’t give up.

Dodgers’ right-hander Joe Broussard worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth inning to send the two teams to a four-game series split.

It was a back-and-forth game as the Dodgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first only to see the Sounds claim the lead in the third.

Oklahoma City plated a pair of runs in the fifth to regain a 4-3 lead, but again, Nashville fought back. Beau Taylor’s one-out double in the sixth set the stage for Matt McBride. The left fielder hammered a pitch from Jeremy Bleich into the left field seats for a two-run homer and 5-4 lead.

It looked like the bullpen combination of Lou Trivino and Jake Sanchez would slam the door on a series win. Trivino retired all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings, and Sanchez struck out the first two batters he faced before a base hit and the costly error.

Joey Wendle added a pair of hits in the loss, and McBride scored two runs in addition to his seventh homer of the season.

The Sounds travel to Colorado Springs for a four-game series set to begin Tuesday night. Right-hander Chris Jensen (4-0, 3.62) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Hiram Burgos (2-4, 6.21) for the Sky Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CST.