PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Cruz homers but Sounds fall to Memphis, 5-1

Published on June 29, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds came up on the short end of a 5-1 decision against the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds on Thursday evening in front of 8,057 fans at Greer Stadium in the finale of a four-game series.

With the loss, Nashville (42-37) suffered only its second losing series at home this season after dropping three of four to their division rivals. The Sounds have lost seven of their last 10 games overall.

Memphis jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of two-out runs in the top of the first inning. Chris Duncan reached on a fielder's choice grounder then moved to third on a ground-rule double off the bat of Redbirds first baseman Brian Daubach. With John Gall at the plate, Sounds starter Justin Lehr uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Duncan to score the game's first run.

After Gall coaxed a base on balls from Lehr to snap the right-hander's streak of 30 1/3 consecutive innings without issuing a walk, Memphis scored its second run when Gall broke for second and stayed in a rundown long enough to allow Daubach to reach the plate.

The Sounds received a scare in the bottom of the first frame when All-Star outfielder Tony Gwynn singled then crumpled to the ground just past second base after moving up a bag on a Dave Krynzel sacrifice bunt. The 23-year-old, who was tagged out on the play, walked off under his own power and remained in the game. He finished the night with Nashville's lone two-hit effort (2-for-3), which was his team-leading 29th multiple-hit game of the season.

Sounds first baseman Graham Koonce stole second base in the bottom of the second inning, his first swipe in 419 games dating back to August 22, 2002 for Midland. Koonce became the 16th different Nashville player to steal a base this season.

All-Star outfielder Nelson Cruz provided Nashville with its only run on the evening in the bottom of the fourth when he slugged his team-leading 15th home run, a two-out solo shot to left off Memphis starter Chris Narveson. It was his first longball since June 10.

The visitors re-extended the lead to two runs in the sixth when center fielder Skip Schumaker, who paced Memphis with a 3-for-4 night at the plate, singled with one out, stole second, and scored on Duncan's RBI single off Lehr to make it a 3-1 contest.

The Sounds missed a chance to strike back in the bottom of the inning after putting the first two runners on base courtesy of a Lehr walk and a Gwynn single. Krynzel fouled out while attempting to lay down a sacrifice, then Memphis All-Star reliever Josh Kinney entered the game to strike out Brent Abernathy and Cruz in order to escape the jam unscathed.

Memphis pushed the lead to 5-1 in the eighth on a RBI singles by Schumaker off Mitch Stetter and pinch-hitter Junior Spivey off Joe Winkelsas.

Narveson (3-1) picked up the victory after holding the Sounds to one run on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. Brian Falkenborg recorded the final four outs of the contest to notch his team-leading 13th save of the year for the Redbirds.

Lehr (1-3) worked his longest outing of the season, pitching into the eighth inning, but took the loss for Nashville after allowing four runs on five hits while striking out a season-best six batters.

The Sounds continue their homestand on Friday night by welcoming the Round Rock Express (AAA-Astros) to town for the 7 p.m. opener of a four-game series. It will be Faith Night at Greer Stadium. Local Christian group Denver & The Mile High Orchestra will perform a pregame concert and a fireworks show will follow the game.

Knuckleballer Jared Fernandez (3-1, 2.62), who threw a complete-game shutout in his last outing on Sunday at Round Rock, will make the start for Nashville in search of his 100th career minor league victory. The Express will counter with right-hander Jason Hirsh (8-2, 2.56).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2006


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