Sounds Fall in Extras Again, Drop 4-3 Decision to Indians Despite Sproat’s Strong Start

NASHVILLE, TN - The Nashville Sounds held a three-run lead through four innings but fell to the Indianapolis Indians 4-3 in 10 innings Saturday night at First Horizon Park, dropping their second extra-inning contest of the week against Indy.

Right-hander Brandon Sproat delivered a strong second start for Nashville, tossing five scoreless innings with one hit allowed and a season-high eight strikeouts. He retired 11 of the first 15 batters he faced and escaped a two-out double in the fourth by striking out Joshua Palacios for his seventh punchout of the night.

Offense was scarce early as both teams combined for six hitless frames. Nashville broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Brock Wilken walked to lead off, and Jeferson Quero doubled to put him on third. After Luis Matos reached on a fielder’s choice (Wilken out at home), Matos stole second and advanced on a throwing error that scored Quero for a 1-0 lead. Tyler Black walked and stole second while Matos took third, setting up Ethan Murray’s two-run triple to center that made it 3-0.

Indianapolis cut into the lead in the sixth against reliever Lyon Richardson. A walk and two singles loaded the bases, and another walk forced in a run. Nick Cimillo’s double-play grounder plated a second run, trimming the Sounds’ advantage to 3-2. The Indians tied the game in the eighth off Gerson Garabito on consecutive doubles by Johnathan Rodriguez and Palacios.

In the 10th, Palacios delivered a two-out RBI single off Blake Holub for the go-ahead run. Nashville loaded the bases in the bottom half on walks to Sal Frelick and Wilken, but Blake Burke flied out to center to end the game.

Sproat’s outing marked his 16th career start of five-plus scoreless innings and ninth at Triple-A. Murray’s triple was his second of the season and helped the Sounds maintain their International League lead with 33 triples on the year. Nashville fell to 2-8 in extra-inning games this season and was held to five or fewer hits for the 30th time.

The Sounds will try to split the series Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Tyson Hardin (3-4, 5.15 ERA) starts for Nashville against Indianapolis left-hander Connor Wietgrefe.