Willy Peralta allowed four hits and one run over six innings, but Vinny Chulk, the last of three relief pitchers, allowed an eighth-inning grand slam as the Nashville Sounds lost their 2012 opener 6-2 to the New Orleans Zephyrs on Thursday at Metarie, La.
Chulk came on with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, which started with the score tied 1-1. He allowed the home run to the first batter he faced.
Victor Garate started the inning on the mound and allowed on run on three singles and a hit batter. He then gave way to Chulk.
Peralta allowed a second-inning run but threw 53 strikes among 79 pitches and retired 15 of the final 16 batters he faced.
Nashville’s Sean Halton, in his Class AAA debut, hit a solo home run in the ninth and finished 4-for-4. Caleb Gindl’s fourth-inning double drove in Eric Farris and tied it 1-1, where it stayed until the fateful eighth.
The teams play again 7 p.m. Friday.