Sounds Take Finale Against Omaha, 4-1
06/17/2012 5:58 PM ET
Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds gained a split of a four-game series against division-leading Omaha with a 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Greer Stadium.

Logan Schafer accounted for half of Nashville's six hits with a 3-for-4 effort that included a pair of runs scored, the outfielder's seventh multiple-hit effort in his last 11 contests.

Nashville right-hander Wily Peralta (2-8) defeated Omaha for the second time in two starts this season, holding the Storm Chasers to one run on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. He walked two batters and struck out six during his 98-pitch effort.

The Sounds (28-43) took an early lead with an unearned run in the first inning against Omaha starter Mike Montgomery. Schafer led off the frame with a single, moved to second on a groundout, and hustled around to score when Storm Chasers second baseman Anthony Seratelli made a throwing error after fielding a Travis Ishikawa grounder.

Peralta escaped a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the top of the third inning when second baseman Eric Farris made a spectacular diving stop to his left on a sharp Salvador Perez grounder and threw out the catcher to end the frame. (Audio)

Nashville increased the lead to 3-0 in the third after loading the bases with no outs against Montgomery.

Farris drew a leadoff walk then moved to second when Schafer's bunt up the first-base side eluded a pair of Omaha defenders for an infield single. Cesar Izturis followed with a sacrifice bunt, which Perez fielded just in front of the plate and threw late to third in an attempt to retire the lead runner, loading the bags full of Sounds.

Ishikawa, the next batter, fell behind 0-2 against Montgomery before recovering to draw a walk to force home Farris for a 2-0 lead. Andy Gonzalez followed with a double-play grounder, which plated Schafer with the frame's second run.

Omaha got on the board in the top of the sixth inning, plating a run against Peralta to cut the Nashville lead to 3-1 when Tony Abreu rapped a single and later came plateward on Seratelli's two-out single to left.

Gonzalez staked Nashville to a 4-1 lead in the home half of the sixth when he led off the frame by belting his fifth home run of the year and second of the series, a solo shot to left off Montgomery. (Audio)

The Sounds' bullpen followed Peralta with 3 1/3 scoreless frames to close out the victory. Donovan Hand worked 1 1/3 innings, Vinnie Chulk tossed a scoreless frame, and Jim Henderson earned his team-leading fifth save with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Mongtomery (3-3) took the loss for the Storm Chasers after allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits over six frames of action.

Izturis played a scheduled five innings at shortstop for the Sounds in game two of his rehabilitation assignment. He went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt at the plate, grounding out and reaching on a fielding error.

Ishikawa served as Nashville's designated hitter for the second straight game and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Following a league-wide off day tomorrow, the Sounds continue their homestand on Tuesday by welcoming Oklahoma City (AAA-Astros) to town for a four-game series. Nashville has lost 11 of its 12 games versus the RedHawks this season.

Right-hander Claudio Vargas (2-0, 4.21) will start Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. series opener for the Sounds. Oklahoma City will counter with left-hander Wes Musick (1-2, 3.14).

Box Score

This is my last Nashville game for now, and I need to apologize to Jeff Hem and the whole Nashville crew for not being able to tune in as often as I had hoped. Jeff is usually full of great information on players, scouts, and staff alike. Hopefully he receives more credit from the next Link Reporter. He has absolutely provided some must hear interviews throughout the first half and I expect that to continue. Now, with Schafer on fire, Gindl showing a pulse Thornburg moving up and Peralta making progress, that team might make some noise in the second half. Farewell Nashville, best of luck going into the 2nd half.

On to the game. Wily Peralta needed that. It was a bit of a struggle, and Eric Farris is the best-est, but Willy scratched his ERA back under 6.00. Now the march for 5.00 begins. 5.2 IP 8 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 6 K 1 WP 8:1 GO:FO on 96 pitches and 61 strikes. He is trending in the right direction no doubt. Donovan Hand, Vinnie Chulk and Jim Henderson, all of whom are having nice season in the AAA 'pen, finished the final 10 outs scoreless.

Logan Schafer is seeing beach balls right now. He has his average up to .2996 after going 3-4 with a SB (10). Through 16 June games, Logan is hitting .421. Cesar Izturis and Travis Ishikawa both made rehab appearances, and both went hitless.

Game Log

Hard hit outs.

Omaha Top of the 1st

Irving Falu flies out to left fielder Jay Gibbons.
Johnny Giavotella called out on strikes.
Wil Myers doubles (7) on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer.
Clint Robinson lines out to right fielder Caleb Gindl.

Omaha Top of the 2nd

Salvador Perez walks.
Tony Abreu strikes out swinging.
David Lough grounds into a force out, shortstop Cesar Izturis to second baseman Eric Farris. Salvador Perez out at 2nd. David Lough to 1st.
Anthony Seratelli lines out to shortstop Cesar Izturis.

Farris' fantastic fling.

Omaha Top of the 3rd

Derrick Robinson called out on strikes.
Irving Falu strikes out swinging.
Max Ramirez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jay Gibbons.
Wil Myers singles on a ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Max Ramirez to 2nd.
Clint Robinson singles on a line drive to left fielder Jay Gibbons. Max Ramirez to 3rd. Wil Myers to 2nd.
Salvador Perez grounds out, second baseman Eric Farris to first baseman Sean Halton.

A missed big inning.

Nashville Bottom of the 3rd

Eric Farris walks.
Logan Schafer singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Anthony Seratelli. Eric Farris to 2nd.
Cesar Izturis hits a sacrifice bunt. Eric Farris to 3rd. Logan Schafer to 2nd. Cesar Izturis to 1st.
Travis Ishikawa walks. Eric Farris scores. Logan Schafer to 3rd. Cesar Izturis to 2nd.
Andy Gonzalez grounds into double play, second baseman Anthony Seratelli to first baseman Max Ramirez. Logan Schafer scores. Cesar Izturis to 3rd. Travis Ishikawa out at 2nd.
Jay Gibbons strikes out swinging.

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