Sports Recap: All the Action From The 4th of July Weekend

Nashville Sounds: Win 4-3, Loss 7-3, Win 9-3

          The Nashville Sounds won the 2 of the last 3 games between the Louisville Bats. On Friday, it took extra innings for the Sounds to come away victorious. The game was tied 2-2 heading into the 10^th inning. The Bats managed to push across a run on an RBI single to take a 3-2 lead. The Sounds had to score at least one run to keep the game going. A couple of batters later, Zach Green watched ball four and the winning run was walked home. The Sounds won 4-3. Saturday’s matchup had a different ending. The Sounds led 2-0 late, but in the 7^th inning the Louisville Bats came alive. They plated 7 runs in the 7^th inning including an RBI double and a 3-run home run. They eventually won the game 7-4 as the Sounds could only score 1 run following the big inning. The final contest on Sunday went back in Nashville’s favor as they came away with the win 9-3. The fireworks on July 4^th were not only for the holiday, but also celebrating the Sounds victory. Nashville hit 2 home runs in the game, one by Weston Wilson (solo) and one by Matt Lipka (2-run). In total the Sounds scored 9 runs on 12 hits to earn the win.

#Nashville, have we mentioned how much we love you? Tonight's attendance of 11,686 is the 6th-largest in @FirstHorizonPrk history and 8th sellout of the season! Thank you for spending your 4th of July with us! pic.twitter.com/eOHg9oGmOD

— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) July 5, 2021

Atlanta Braves: Win 1-0, Loss 3-2, Win 8-7

          The Atlanta Braves had a three-game series against the Miami Marlins this past weekend. Every game was decided by 1 run. In the first matchup, things got heated quickly. Ronald Acuña Jr is used to being plunked by Marlins pitchers. It happened again on Friday on the very first pitch of the ballgame. The response, Miami’ start Pablo López was ejected from the game. Pablo was not the only one tossed though as manager Don Mattingly also saw the boot later as he argued for his pitcher that it was not intentional. It is all speculation but since this is the 6^th time Acuña has been hit by a Marlins pitcher, it is difficult to see it otherwise. Back to the game though and the only run came in the first inning when Ozzie Albies hit a SAC fly to bring home Acuña. Drew Smyly was awarded the win on the mound following a 5.2 innings pitched performance.

Saturday’s game went in favor of the Marlins. Muller got his second appearance for the Braves on the mound. He threw 5.2 innings but allowed 3 ERs and struck out 7. Those were the deciding 3 runs unfortunately.

The final game on Sunday had plenty of fireworks as it was on the 4^th of July. Acuña delivered the first runs of the game with a 2- run home run. The Marlins creeped back though and took the lead in the 6^th inning off an Adam Duvall home run that scored 3. Miami added to their lead in the top of the 9^th after 2 homers brought in 3 total runs. They led 7-3 and things looked to be over. However, the Braves rallied in the bottom of the 9^th to tie things up. Arcia, who was making his Braves’ debut after being traded to team from Milwaukee, hit an RBI single to get things going. Then Almonte brought in 2 off a double, and finally Acuña brought home the tying run on a SAC fly. In extra innings, things got even more dramatic. The bases were loaded when a wild pitch was thrown by Bass, Riley came charging home and slid in. At first, he was ruled safe and the game was over. Upon further review, they determined that Riley’s foot did not hit home plate and was tagged out before his body touched home. The next batter was pinch hitter Max Fried (also a starting pitcher). He singled and brought home the winning run in walk off fashion.

Cincinnati Reds: Win 2-1, Win 3-2, Win 3-2

         The Cincinnati Reds completed a 3-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. Friday’s contest was a low-scoring affair. In the 6^th inning Joey Votto brought home 2 runs with a double and that ended up being the 2 winning runs. The Reds won 2-1. On Saturday, the Reds scored 3 unanswered runs to come away with the win. Votto homered in the 4^th inning, Naquin in the 5^th and then Suárez brought in a runner with an RBI single. Cincinnati won 3-2. Hendrix was credited with the win on the mound. Lastly, in Sunday’s matchup, the Reds again scored the final 3 runs of the game needed to win. The Cubs led 2-0 when Barnhart doubled to bring home a runner. Then in the seventh inning a walk with the bases loaded followed by a fielder’s choice brought home 2 more runs home to give the Reds the lead. Warren was on the mound and only threw 1 out and was handed the win. Amir Garrett earned his 6^th save of the season. The Reds swept the Cubs, but also to make things worse the Cubs have now lost 9 straight games.

Nashville SC: Win 1-0

         Nashville SC got back in the win column on Saturday. C.J. Sapong scored the lone goal in the 2^nd minute of play against his former team. Nashville’s goalie Joe Willis, saved 4 shots and earned his 5^th shutout this season.

That's how you start the show. @BigAfrika88 | #EveryoneN pic.twitter.com/dn9c4fgsvR

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) July 4, 2021

J🚫E pic.twitter.com/B62pbUUaam

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) July 4, 2021

PGA:

          The Rocket Mortgage Classic wrapped up coverage on Sunday. At the end of play, there was a 3-way tie between Cam Davis, Troy Merritt, and Joaquin Niemann who all shot -18 for the tournament. That meant it was playoff time. In total, 5 playoff holes were needed. Niemann was eliminated after the first playoff hole, but it took 4 more for Davis to beat out Merritt. Cam Davis won the Rocket Mortgage Classic. This was his first ever tour win,

It took 71 TOUR events and 77 holes this week, but …@CamDavisGolf is a PGA TOUR winner. 🇦🇺

(Presented by @SuperStrokeGolf) pic.twitter.com/ylxi3vlIZU

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 5, 2021

NASCAR:

         Chase Elliott made his way back to the top in the NASCAR Cup Series. He took the victory at the Cup Series at Road America this past weekend on July 4^th. After starting in 34^th, Elliott led for 24 laps and came away with the win. This win broke a massive slump Elliott was in as he had not finished in the top 10 since June 13^th.

In the Xfinity Series, Kyle Busch won again over weekend. This is his 4th straight Xfinity Series win.

Indycar:

The Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio was held this past weekend and Josef Newgarden came away the winner. Newgarden started in 1^st and led the race for 73 laps, including the final won to earn the victory. This was Newgarden’s first win of the season, and he now sits in 4^th overall in the standings.

Cover image courtesy of the Nashville Sounds. 

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