Pitching Shines As Sounds Win Opener

Sounds3In a game that had just seven hits, Nashville walked away with the series opener against Las Vegas on Friday night at First Tennessee Park, 2-1.

Combining yesterday’s 3-2 victory with tonight’s win marked the first time the Sounds won back-to-back one-run games this season. Nashville moved to 7-10 in one-run affairs and got their 10th win at home.

Nashville’s three hits were a season-low, but the home team got on the scoreboard first with a run in the second inning. With two away, Nate Freiman was hit by a pitch, Bryan Anderson walked and Niuman Romero singled. Anthony Aliotti, who was 8-for-16 during the series in Sacramento, drew a bases loaded walk. Nashville would leave the bags packed to end the frame, but claimed the 1-0 lead.

They carried the momentum to the third and Joey Wendle showed off his speed and aggressiveness. The second baseman singled on a bunt to the left side to start the inning and moved to second after a wild pitch. He proceeded to tag up on a deep fly to left field, barely beating the ball to third base with a late slide. Jason Pridie followed with a sacrifice fly to left, his team-leading 30th RBI of the year, to back starter Chris Bassitt with a 2-0 advantage.

Bassitt had his best stuff in the series opener and was able to notch his second win of the season. While the right-hander struggled with finding his breaking ball early, he located the fastball with ease and ended the night with four strikeouts. The 26-year old finished his night by delivering 5.2 innings with four hits, one run and no walks.

He left with runners at the corners and two away in the sixth, as Jim Fuller entered in relief. The lefty specialist threw just four pitches and concluded the frame with a strikeout. The hurler has started the first Triple-A stint of his career with scoreless outings in nine of his 10 games.

Brock Huntzinger fanned four of his six batters over two scoreless frames. R.J. Alvarez then entered in the ninth and recorded his second save of the year. Nashville’s team ERA dropped to 3.14 in May, while Bassitt’s win improved the starter’s record to 10-8 during the month.

The series continues Saturday night with a 6:35 p.m. contest. The second game of the set will feature a battle of the lefties, as Sean Nolin (0-0, 0.71) and Duane Below will compete at First Tennessee Park.