Sounds Shut Down Bulls’ Late Rally for 6-5 Win

Knehr improves to 3-0; Fernández records first save of season

DURHAM, N.C. — The Nashville Sounds withstood a late-game surge from the Durham Bulls to earn a 6-5 victory Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Nashville broke open the contest with a four-run burst in the top of the third inning and then held on as Durham tried to rally late.

After a scoreless start that stretched Nashville’s drought to seven straight innings, the Sounds finally got things moving in the third. Jeferson Quero’s two-run single off the left-field wall capped the inning, sending home two runs and giving Nashville a 4-0 cushion. The Bulls responded with a solo homer from Tony Santa Maria to pull within 4-1 through four.

In the top of the fifth, Nashville pushed the lead back to four. Brock Wilken delivered an RBI double, and Luis Lara, who worked a leadoff walk, came around to score. Two innings later, a bloop single by Luis Matos scored Wilken, extending the advantage to 6-1. Durham then chipped away again with three straight runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh, setting up a dramatic finish.

Reiss Knehr entered in a high-leverage spot and ultimately stranded runners to keep the Bulls at bay. Junior Fernández sealed the win in the ninth, tossing a 1-2-3 frame to record his first save of the season.

Nashville continues its road series Saturday, May 23, with first pitch scheduled for 5:45 p.m. CT.