Nashville Sounds Clinch Division Title For First Time Since 2016

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Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Sounds

The Nashville Sounds are back in the postseason, winning the International League West Division title after beating the Louisville Bats 6-3 in 10 innings on Friday (Sept. 24).

This is the Sounds’ second full season in the International League West Division and first division title since 2016. This title is manager Rick Sweet‘s seventh division title and first since managing Colorado Springs in 2017.

The game was tied 3-3 going into the 10th inning, but back-to-back bunts by the Sounds scored the go-ahead run. Matt Lipka singled on a bunt that put Andruw Monasterio at third. Esteury Ruiz then got a bunt down and Monasterio beat the throw home from the Bats pitcher, making it a 4-3 game.

Brice Turang then gave Nashville a couple more insurance runs, doubling to the left center field gap that brought home Lipka and Ruiz. It gave the Sounds a 6-3 advantage going to the bottom of the 10th.

With three outs to get, Trevor Kelley came out of the bullpen and got the job done. The right-hander walked one, but struck out three-straight Bats to secure the win and begin the celebration in Louisville.

The Sounds record is 89-57 with just three games left in the regular season. Nashville finishes with a three-game home series against the Memphis Redbirds starting tonight (Sept. 26).

After the regular season concludes, the Sounds will play the winner of the International League East Division in a one-game playoff to determine the 2022 league champion. This game is set for Saturday, Oct 1, at 8:05 p.m. CT.

That winner will play the Pacific Coast League champion on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 6:05 p.m. CT to crown the overall Triple-A National Champion.

Steven Boero
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