Wilken's Late-Inning Homer Pushes Sounds Past Redbirds

MEMPHIS, TN – A late-game clutch hit provided all the dynamic energy the Nashville Sounds needed on Saturday night, as Milwaukee Brewers prospect Brock Wilken delivered a go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to lift Nashville to a 5-3 victory over the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park.

The win extended the Sounds' winning streak to three games and guaranteed them at least a series split heading into Sunday's finale.

Right-hander Garrett Stallings made the start for Nashville on his 29th birthday, tossing four innings, striking out seven, and allowing two runs on five hits. Memphis broke through in the third inning after a leadoff triple, taking an early advantage on an RBI single. Nashville answered back in the top of the fourth when Luke Adams launched a solo home run—his team-leading 13th of the season—to even the game at 1–1.

Memphis reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the frame courtesy of a solo shot by Ramon Urias, who finished 2-for-2 on the night. Relievers Kaleb Bowman and MLB rehabber Joel Kuhnel kept the Redbirds' bats dormant through the middle innings, keeping the score held at 2-1 heading into the eighth.

The game swung dramatically in the top of the eighth. After Bo Naylor reached first base on a dropped third strike to keep the inning alive, Wilken capitalized on the opportunity. The third baseman line-drived a shot over the left-field wall, driving in three runs for his team-leading eighth go-ahead home run of the season to put the Sounds ahead 4-2.

Baseball America

In the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Rodriguez navigated a late Memphis threat—which included a solo shot by Urias and a walk—to induce a game-ending groundout, locking down his fourth career save.

Nashville will look to clinch the series victory on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m., with right-hander Brandon Sproat set to make his Sounds debut on the mound.