It's a 5:05 Central start for Sounds' Season-Opening Doubleheader

[Jim Goulart]

Thread will be utilized for any minor league news Saturday, lineup updates, etc.

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

Nashville Roster

RHP Caleb Boushley opens the season; RHP Colin Rea starts Game Two

As an MLB.TV subscriber, looking forward to watching there with Jeff Hem on the call, as the MLB.TV package now incorporates all the MiLB games.

Reminder, the other three affiliates open on Friday April 7th.

[Ro Mueller]

The 2023 Minor League season begins with a AAA-level doubleheader, as the Nashville Sounds host Reds' affiliate Louisville. RHP Caleb Boushley starts the first game of the day, aiming to build on last season's success (12-2, 3.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 in 127 1/3 IP in 2022). CF Sal Frelick's 41-game on-base streak carries over from last year:

[Joseph Zarr]

As predicted, Boushley gets the nod. That's a very formidable Triple-A line-up. I'm excite. And, no Devanney Game 1? I'm cry.😂

[Ro Mueller]

7 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

As predicted, Boushley gets the nod. That's a very formidable Triple-A line-up. I'm excite. And, no Devanney Game 1? I'm cry.😂

Unfortunately, Devanney was placed on the injured list, along with VanMeter and Cousins. To me, the main lineup surprise is the absence of Jon Singleton. But of course, there are two games today, so we'll probably hear his crushing blasts later. Fingers crossed!

[Joseph Zarr]

23 minutes ago, damuelle said:

Unfortunately, Devanney was placed on the injured list, along with VanMeter and Cousins. To me, the main lineup surprise is the absence of Jon Singleton. But of course, there are two games today, so we'll probably hear his crushing blasts later. Fingers crossed!

This is not the news I was hoping to hear, Daniel. Suckerin' suckatash! Thankfully, we've got a deep enough squad to take all these hits. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Sounds trail 1-0 on a Joey Votto solo dinger in his first AB. Boushley has walked a batter every inning and just worked out of a two men on, two men out, jam by whizzing a strike three fastball on the inner edge of the plate. On to the bottom of the third inning where Andruw Monasterio will lead off and hope to get things going.

[Joseph Zarr]

The Sounds have 3 walks but zero hits to go along with the free passes. With Frelick on 2nd base (SB after BB) and Tyler Naquin working an 0-2 count to a nice walk, Abraham Toro does his best early season Rowdy Tellez impression and strikes out on three straight pitches. On to the 4th inning where it looks like Pedro Fernandez will get the ball as the Sounds look to build up the arms of their starting staff.

[Joseph Zarr]

Sounds are still hitless through 4 innings of a 7 inning tilt. They are driving the pitch count up (RHP Levi Stoudt - came over in Luis Castillo trade) into the 80's but they aren't making any type of meaningful contact as of yet. Lots of grounders and weak pop ups. Hopefully, they can get things going.

[Joseph Zarr]

Really like what I'm seeing from recent free agent signee RHP Pedro Fernandez. He is predominantly mixing in a four-seamer with nice spin, a slider, and a change-up in the low 80's. He sits 92-93 but touches 94-95 like he just did striking out Joey Votto on a high outside heater. Two scoreless for him so far. And we're on to the bottom of the 5th where the Sounds will look for their first knock.

[Joseph Zarr]

Who to break open the no-hitter other than our very own Sal Frelick who hits a deeeeeep triple high off the wall to right center (looked to be the 388' area of the wall). And we have a lead-off man on 3rd base. Let's knock him in!

[Joseph Zarr]

Hiura muscles a looping jam shot into the shallow center left grass. 67 mph off the bat but, hey, it falls and Frelick scores. 1-1. Men on first and second base with one down and Austin Jackson to the dish.

[Joseph Zarr]

Peguero K's the side in the top of the 7th - completing the inning by getting Votto on a back door elevated slider. Looking very very sharp. Really nice off-speed stuff and he has some really nice dipping movement on a heater that touches 96. You can see why he was so successful at Salt Lake last season. There's a lot to work with in his arsenal.

[Joseph Zarr]

Tyler Naquin first pitch two-run walk-off jack to left center babyyyyy. 3-1 improbable Sounds victory. Yeahhhhhh baby! Game 1 in the books!

[Joseph Zarr]

For anyone wondering, RHP Janson Junk will get the nod tomorrow to close out the three game series. It will be a day game, fwiw.

[Joseph Zarr]

Our Game 2 is kicking off now. Here's a look at your Sounds starting lineup:

 

[Joseph Zarr]

OF and switch hitting Blake Perkins grabs his first knock with a line drive to left. He stretches it admirably into a double and the throw is off line and into right field. He grabs third base. An important play as Toro line drives the next pitch off the pitcher and legs out an infield single while Perkins scores. It's 1-0 off the bat good guys.

[Joseph Zarr]

This is the first of two three game series the Sounds and Bats will play in 2023. The second series will be in Louisville just out of the All Star break...and Austin Jackson grounds out into a weak broken bat double play to end the first frame as he looks for his first hit of 2023. On to the 2nd inning.

[Joseph Zarr]

One thing seems certain early here in 2023: If you are expecting Keston Hiura at 1B to dig out an off-line throw, best of luck to you. I've now seen him whiff two digs I'm near certain Big Jon would have nabbed and made look easy. Monasterio has plenty of time but throws it weak and short and Hiura can't dig it out. Base runner on to lead the 2nd inning for the Bats. E6 charged to Monasterio - as it should be - but...the first baseman has to help out there.

[Joseph Zarr]

Frelick bobbles and kicks the ball into the bullpen on a line drive to right field and the first error leads to a second error (E9) and the runner from first scores. Man on 2nd. Zero outs. 1-1 ball game.

[Joseph Zarr]

Goodness Monasterio is showing us that flawed defense that has been his achilles heel. He has another very makable play as he digs a grounder up the center left of the infield. He rushes his backhanded throw and misses Alvarez at second base. Rea's teammates are doing their best to drive him from the game early. He deserves better. That's a three error inning (2 to Monasterio and 1 to Frelick) and two unearned runs cross as we head to the third.

[Joseph Zarr]

I said it before the series in the Brewers Roster thread:

Hiura bombssss away. He just mashes in Nashville. Smashed a 401' sky dart to left center. That was a no doubter off the bat. 4-2 Sounds. They have now scored in every inning here in the bottom half of the 3rd.

[MVP2110]

Loving the updates! Any idea why Singleton isn't playing?

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, MVP2110 said:

Loving the updates! Any idea why Singleton isn't playing?

No. And I've been waiting to hear from Jeff Hem but, as of yet, we have nothing. I'll update if and when I hear it. 

Edit to Add: All Hem said late was Singleton was a bench bat. I have to think we him tomorrow. I am surprised they went full on catcher (DH and behind the dish) tonight. But, if anything is a sure thing, it's Sweetie getting all his guys some burn. No Patrick Dorrian tonight either who was quite good for the Sounds late in 2022.

Edits Again to Add: (Checks notes...coughs) I see Dorrian was placed on the Development list. Not a fan. I like his versatility and his bat. I think he's worthy of some of these AB's but they have a glut of players to rotate in and out of the line up so I get it.

[Joseph Zarr]

It's Game 2, obviously, but it's worth saying: the pitching is again set up to be fantastic. Naturally, just as I type that Herb gives up a solo shot to deep left center.

[Joseph Zarr]

The Sounds strand runners yet again - men on first and third with one out - after two weak infield pop ups off the bats of Brian Navarreto and Eddie Alvarez. It's on to the top of the 6th frame and the Sounds are clinging to a 4-3 lead. Let's hope Tyson Miller picks up where he left off this spring.