Nix Comes Up Big Early And Late In 5-4 Win
Published on September 2, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
MEMPHIS - Laynce Nix highlighted a four-run Nashville first inning with a two-run homer then made a game-ending diving catch in the bottom of the ninth to lead the Sounds to a 5-4 victory over the Memphis Redbirds on Sunday evening at AutoZone Park.
With the win, Nashville (88-55) improved to a season-best 33 games over .500. The one-run contest was the Sounds' 51st of the year, matching the club's single-season record (fourth occurrence).
Nashville jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Redbirds starter Randy Keisler, highlighted by a two-out, two-run homer to right by Nix (2-for-4). It was the slugger's 24th home run of the year for the Sounds and 25th tater overall. Earlier in the inning, Drew Anderson and Mike Rivera produced consecutive one-out RBI singles.
The Redbirds got a run back in the bottom of the third when shortstop Chris Barnwell mishandled Edgar Gonzalez's one-out, bases-loaded grounder, allowing Danny Ardoin to score to make it a 4-1 contest. Sounds starter Tim Dillard escaped the jam without further damage but inducing an inning-ending, bases-loaded double play grounder from Tagg Bozied.
Memphis continued its comeback in the fifth against Dillard with two more runs to pull within 4-3. Ardoin opened the frame with a walk before moving to third on a Keisler double, the hurler's second hit of the evening. Mike McCoy reduced the Nashville lead to 4-2 when he followed with an RBI single. After McCoy was caught stealing second, Brian Barden made it a one-run game by plating Keisler with a sacrifice fly to center.
The Sounds increased the lead to 5-3 in the top of the sixth when Rivera and Andy Abad opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Jose Macias (2-for-4) delivered a one-out RBI single on a hot shot to third base, bringing Rivera plateward.
Dillard (8-4) earned a win in his second spot start of August after allowing three runs on five hits while walking three batters and striking out four in his five innings of action.
Steve Bray worked two scoreless frames behind Dillard before Marino Salas worked into and out of a two-on jam to post a goose egg in the eighth.
The Redbirds didn't go down without a fight, however, and made things interesting against Dennis Sarfate in the bottom of the ninth.
The right-hander issued consecutive walks to Ardoin and Jarrett Hoffpauir to begin the inning before McCoy sacrificed the runners to second and third. With one out, Barden slapped a run-scoring single to right to bring home Ardoin and pull the home team within a run at 5-4. Sarfate followed up by striking out Gonzalez for the second out.
The final out of the night came on a spectacular diving catch by Nix in the right-center gap, which robbed Bozied of a game-tying extra-base hit.
Sarfate notched his fourth save of the year following the dramatic ending.
Keisler (8-11) was saddled with the loss after the southpaw gave up five runs on eight hits over six frames.
The teams wrap up the 2007 regular season with a 1:10 p.m. Labor Day finale on Monday afternoon. Left-hander Zach Jackson (10-10, 4.62) will toe the rubber for the Sounds to face Memphis right-hander Mike Parisi (8-12, 5.04).
Sounds To Face Z's In First Round Of Playoffs
The New Orleans Zephyrs will make their first postseason appearance since 2001 when they face the Nashville Sounds in the PCL American Conference Finals, beginning Wednesday.
New Orleans wrapped up the PCL American Conference Southern Division championship on Sunday evening with a 10-2 victory over the Round Rock Express combined with a pair of Albuquerque losses on the day, giving the Z's a two-game lead with one game left to play for each club.
Following their season finale in Memphis on Monday afternoon, the Sounds will travel to the Crescent City to play the first two games of the American Conference Finals at New Orleans on Wednesday (7 p.m. CT) and Thursday (1 p.m. CT) before coming home to Greer Stadium to host the final three games of the best-of-five series as necessary.
Pacific Coast League Stories from September 2, 2007
- Nashville nips Redbirds - Memphis Redbirds
- Nix Comes Up Big Early And Late In 5-4 Win - Nashville Sounds
- Albuquerque eliminated from playoff contention - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Zephyrs top Express - Round Rock Express
- Grizzlies Make It Three In A Row Over Portland - Portland Beavers
- Oklahoma RedHawks game notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sidewinders Lose Wild One To RiverCats - Tucson Sidewinders
- Blackley, Grizzlies Shut Down Portland - Portland Beavers
- Sounds slip by 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
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