Sounds’ Big Seventh Thaws the Series as Miller Earns First Triple-A Multi-Hit Game

Charlotte, NC - The Nashville Sounds turned Wednesday night into a momentum reset, using a four-run seventh inning to defeat the Charlotte Knights 6–3 in Charlotte and even the series at one game apiece.

After Charlotte jumped out front again early—taking a 1–0 lead off Tyson Hardin in the second—Nashville refused to stay behind for long. The Sounds worked their way into the game with patience and timely contact, then pushed the contest out of reach late with a rally that combined power, baserunners, and clutch hits.

Knights Strike Again, Then the Sounds Answer

Charlotte’s lead was manufactured by Munetaka Murakami, a White Sox Major League Rehabber who delivered his first career minor-league RBI. The Knights’ early push continued when the offense found ways to keep innings alive, as the Sounds took their time finding the right moments against the Knights’ rotation and bullpen.

Nashville answered in the second with a sequence that looked more like manufacturing runs than chasing them. Luke Adams drew a walk to start things off, and Brock Wilken followed with a single to set the table. After Darrien Miller walked to load the bases, Ethan Murray extended the rally by drawing a walk that scored Adams, tying the game at 1–1. Eduardo Garcia then brought Nashville its first lead of the series with a drive that plated another run.

Hardin steadied himself after the early damage, working through the middle innings and preventing Charlotte from pulling away.

Still, the Knights matched the intensity. Charlotte tied it again at 2–2 in the sixth on another productive night from Rikuu Nishida, and an RBI-single helped keep the game close heading into the late innings.

Leonard’s 11th Homer Ignites a Four-Run Seventh

The turning point arrived in the top of the seventh. Eddys Leonard, already the headline contributor for Nashville, provided a spark with his team-leading 11th home run of the season—a go-ahead solo shot to left-center that set the frame for what became a full-on offensive surge.

Leonard’s blast wasn’t the only catalyst. Tyler Black kept the pressure on with a base hit into right field, extending his on-base streak to 18 consecutive games. Then, with the Knights’ bullpen issuing free passes, Nashville loaded the bases and cashed in repeatedly.

Darrien Miller and Ethan Murray delivered back-to-back RBI singles to push the margin further, turning a manageable deficit into a cushion. By the time the seventh ended, the Sounds had built a 6–2 lead.

Close It Out: Fernandez Finishes for Save No. 3

Kaleb Bowman relieved Mark Manfredi in the eighth and surrendered an RBI-single before the Sounds maintained their advantage. Junior Fernandez took over in the ninth and sealed the win, striking out Riley Unroe and then working through the final two batters to secure his third save of the season.

What’s Next

The Sounds continue the six-game set against Charlotte on Thursday, July 9, with first pitch scheduled for 6:04 p.m. RHP Lyon Richardson is set to start for Nashville.