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PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Nix Grand Slam Highlights 9-3 Sounds Victory

April 16, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds erupted for a season-high nine runs on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium in a 9-3 victory over the division-rival Omaha Royals.

Outfielder Laynce Nix was at the plate when seven of the Sounds' nine runs scored, although he was credited with only four RBIs due to Omaha's defensive gaffs. He provided the day's biggest highlight with a fifth-inning grand slam that keyed a six-run outburst in the frame.

All nine of Nashville's runs scored in unearned fashion following a pair of Royals errors.

Omaha rightfielder Damon Hollins put the visitors on the board in the top of the second inning with a one-out solo home run to left off Sounds starter Richie Gardner. It was the veteran's first longball of the season.

The Royals doubled the lead in the third with a two-out rally. After Gardner retired the first two batters of the frame, Shane Costa and Mike Aviles ripped back-to-back doubles to produce the game's second run.

The Sounds plated a season-high six runs in the bottom of the fifth against Omaha starter Kyle Davies to grab a 5-2 lead. All six runs in the frame were unearned following an error on Royals shortstop Angel Berroa.

Abraham Nunez put Nashville on the board when he drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk from to force in Brendan Katin from third. Nix (2-for-4) followed with an opposite-field grand slam to left, his second roundtripper of the year and the Sounds' first grannie of the season. After Brad Nelson doubled, Russell Branyan singled him home to up the advantage to 6-2 and extend his hitting streak to a season-best five games.

Nelson has hit safely in 11 of his 12 games this season and Branyan has recorded a knock in 12 of 14 contests.

Nashville tacked on three more unearned runs in the seventh against the Omaha bullpen to stretch the lead to 9-2. Mel Stocker singled and Nunez drew a walk before Nix hit a ground ball single to right field that rolled under Hollins' glove, allowing all three runners to score.

The Royals closed out the afternoon's scoring in the ninth when third baseman Jason Smith belted his fourth home run of the year, a leadoff solo shot off Nashville reliever Luis Pena.

Gardner took a no-decision in his first start of the year for the Sounds. He allowed two runs on three hits over 2 2/3 innings of work, throwing 44 pitches (27 strikes) and striking out two batters. He departed following a scheduled pitch count.

Reliever Tim Dillard (1-0) earned the win following 3 1/3 scoreless innings behind Gardner. He allowed three hits and struck out two batters in the longest relief outing by a Nashville hurler this season.

Davies (1-1) drew his first loss of the year after allowing six unearned runs on five hits over his five innings of work for Omaha.

Sounds outfielder Brendan Katin went 0-for-4 to snap his season-best five-game hitting streak.

The teams continue the series with a 7 p.m. meeting on Thursday. Right-hander Nic Ungs (1-1, 3.72) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Omaha southpaw Tyler Lumsden (0-1, 5.87). It will be the season's first Thirsty Thursday at Greer Stadium.

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