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PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Fall To Isotopes In Road Trip Opener

May 25, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Sounds reliever Dennis Sarfate issued a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk to Robert Andino with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to force home the game-winning run in Nashville's 5-4 loss to Albuquerque on Friday evening at Isotopes Park in the opener of a four-game series.

The loss was Nashville's 13th in the club's last 17 road games as the team's woes away from Greer Stadium continued. The Sounds (25-23) suffered their tenth loss after the opponent plated the winning run in its final turn at the plate.

After retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the eighth, Sarfate gave up consecutive singles before walking pinch-hitter Todd Sears to fill the bases.

Sarfate (1-4), who took the loss, was replaced on the hill after walking Andino and was ejected following a verbal exchange with the home plate umpire as he exited the field.

The Sounds struck first, plating a run in the top of the first inning against Albuquerque starter Paul Mildren. Callix Crabbe drew a game-opening walk, was bunted to second by Chris Barnwell, advanced to third on a balk, then scored on a Laynce Nix sacrifice fly to left.

Albuquerque knotted the score at 1-1 in the home half of the second when John Gall tripled off Sounds starter Tim Dillard then scored on a Brett Carroll RBI single. Gall finished 3-for-4 and missed hitting for the cycle by a single.

The Isotopes jumped in front in the fourth with back-to-back home runs against Dillard. After former Sound Andrew Beattie walked to open the frame, PCL home run leader Val Pascucci blasted his 12th longball of the year, a two-run shot to left, to give Albuquerque its first lead of the night. Gall continued his strong evening when he followed with his fourth roundtripper of the season, a solo shot to left.

Nashville got a run back in the sixth when Crabbe walked and later scored when Mildren's strike three pitch to Nix escaped Isotopes catcher John Baker.

The Sounds pulled within a score in the top of the seventh to make it a 4-3 contest. Vinny Rottino led off with a double to center and came plateward one batter later on a Jose Macias RBI single to left.

Nashville completed its comeback in the eighth against the Isotopes bullpen when Crabbe crossed the plate for third time. The Sounds' leadoff batter doubled to left off Harvey Garcia and moved to third on a Chris Barnwell before scampering home on a Baker passed ball.

Nate Field (4-2) backed into a victory as the beneficiary of the late Albuquerque score after blowing a save in his two-thirds of an inning worked.

Ross Wolf picked up his second save of the year by working a perfect ninth inning for the Isotopes.

Dillard took a no-decision for the Sounds after allowing four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. Joe Thatcher turned in a solid relief outing behind Dillard, working 1 1/3 hitless frames and recording four strikeouts.

The teams continue the series with another 8:05 p.m. CT meeting on Saturday evening at Isotopes Park. Nashville will send right-hander Chris Oxspring (2-3, 3.32) to the hill to face Albuquerque right-hander Nic Ungs (2-1, 5.82).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 25, 2007


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