On Tap At Greer Stadium
Published on August 22, 2002 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
The Nashville Sounds -- winners of 10 of their last 12 contests -- welcome the cross-state arch-rival Memphis Redbirds to town this weekend for a critical five-game series that will impact the final standings in the PCL East Division.
The Sounds enter Thursday's action one game behind division-leading New Orleans, while the Redbirds are just 2 1/2 games back. Nashville has defeated their rivals in eight of the team's 11 meetings so far this season.
Don't miss this chance to celebrate a few more victories at Greer Stadium as the Sounds complete their 2002 home schedule.
Be sure to visit www.nashvillesounds.com on a regular basis to get the latest game summaries, box scores, upcoming promotions, player profiles, and much more!
The Sounds have been nominated by Nashville Citysearch in the category of Best Place For A Family Outing among area attractions. Voting can be completed online now through Tuesday, August 27.
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SERIES PREVIEW & TEAM NOTES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22 - 7:00 PM
RHP Tony McKnight (11-11, 5.09) vs RHP Garrett Stephenson (0-1, 4.50)
Promotion(s): Famous Chicken, Nashville Predators Night (jersey auction), Jake The Diamond Dog, Thirsty Thursday ($1 draft beverages until end of 5th inning)
Order Tickets
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 - 5:00 PM DOUBLEHEADER
Game 1: RHP Sean Lowe (0-0, 1.29) vs RHP Jimmy Journell (2-2, 3.24)
Game 2: LHP Kevin Tolar (4-1, 3.36) vs RHP Travis Smith (4-5, 2.08)
Promotion(s): The ZOOperstars, Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway (1st 2,000 kids 12 & under), PT Cruiser Giveaway Contest, Jake the Diamond Dog, Nashville Scene Florida Friday, Recycling Night
Order Tickets
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 - 7:00 PM
RHP Salomon Torres (7-4, 3.70) vs RHP Woody Williams (NR)
Promotion(s): Fan Appreciation Night, Saturn Grand Slam Tour, Farmer's Market Apple Giveaway, Jake The Diamond Dog, FIREWORKS, Junior Achievement Volunteer Appreciation Event
Order Tickets
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 - 2:00 PM
RHP Matt Guerrier (6-12, 4.90) vs RHP Steve Woodard (2-1, 6.67)
Promotion(s): Sounds Home Jersey Silent Auction, Autograph Day (meet & greet some of your favorite Sounds players on the field before the game)
Order Tickets
Pitching matchups are tentative. All times central.
All Sounds games are broadcast live on WANT 98.9-FM and WCOR 900-AM as well as via an online webcast available at the Sounds' website. Chuck Valenches, in his 5th season as the "voice of the Sounds," is on the call.
Tickets are available by calling the Sounds box office at (615) 242-4371 or by ordering online.
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The Chicken Is Coming!
The Famous Chicken makes his final 2002 visit to Greer Stadium on Thursday, August 22 during the Sounds' 7 p.m. game.
One of the most popular sports figures in America, the Chicken is the jester among the jerseys.
Tickets are still available!
OTHER NEWS
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NEWS AND NOTES:
SOUNDS COMPLETE HOME SCHEDULE AGAINST RIVAL REDBIRDS: The Sounds welcome the arch-rival Memphis Redbirds to town for a five-game series, which will wrap up Nashville's regular season slate at Greer Stadium. Tonight's game is the teams' 12th of 16 scheduled meetings this year; Nashville currently leads the season series, 8-3. The Sounds also hold a 43-30 advantage in the teams' all-time PCL series, which began in 1998.
THE SOUNDS ... are 8-2 in their last ten games ... are 67-63 entering Thursday's action, in 2nd place in the Pacific Coast League East Division and trailing division leader New Orleans by 1 game ... have a .260 team batting average (12th in PCL) and 3.94 ERA (2nd in PCL).
TIGHT EAST DIVISION RACE OFFERS LOTS OF FUN ACTION AT THE BALLPARK: All four teams in the PCL East Division are currently engaged in a battle for first place and a spot in the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Entering play on Thursday, the clubs are separated by just 2 1/2 games from top to bottom. New Orleans leads, with the Sounds one game back, Oklahoma two games behind, and Memphis just 2 1/2 out.
PREDATORS NIGHT ON THURSDAY: The Sounds' salute to the Nashville Predators, which was scheduled for August 16th but canceled due to a rainout, has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 22 during Nashville's 7 p.m. game against the Memphis Redbirds. The entire Sounds team will wear special Predators jerseys, which will be auctioned off during the game with all proceeds benefiting the Nashville Predators Foundation.
ZOOPERSTARS TO APPEAR AT GREER ON FRIDAY: The ZOOperstars, a collection of inflatable mascot caricatures of stars from all sports, will entertain fans during Friday's 5 p.m. doubleheader against Memphis to make up for their scheduled appearance last Friday that was rained out.
GRAND SLAM WILL NET A FAN A FREE CAR ON FRIDAY: If a Nashville Sounds player hits a grand slam during the second game of Friday's 5 p.m. doubleheader against Memphis, one lucky fan will win a new PT Cruiser, courtesy of Hansen Chrysler.
HOME JERSEYS TO BE AUCTIONED ON SUNDAY: The Nashville Sounds' home white jerseys will be signed and auctioned during the team's final home game, 2 p.m. on Sunday against Memphis. It will also be the final Autograph Day at Greer Stadium. Fans can meet and greet the Sounds one last time during a pre-game on-field autograph session.
THERMAL PLANT SITE DUBBED 'IDEAL' FOR DOWNTOWN STADIUM LOCATION: The downtown Nashville Thermal Transfer site on the banks of the Cumberland River appears to be 'an ideal site' for a new minor league baseball park, a special committee of the Nashville Sports Authority said in a report issued on Friday. Click here for a report from The Tennessean.
BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE OFFER FROM SHEDD'S SPREAD: The Sounds will offer a "Buy One, Get One Free" special for any game in August for all fans who bring a proof of purchase from any Shedd's Spread Country Crock product to the Greer Stadium box office.
SOUNDS NOMINATED FOR "BEST PLACE FOR A FAMILY OUTING" IN NASHVILLE: The Sounds have been nominated by Nashville Citysearch in the category of "Best Place For A Family Outing" among area attractions. Voting can be completed online now through Tuesday, August 27. We encourage fans who have spent enjoyable outings at Sounds games this season or in the past to vote online. While online, you can vote for your area favorites in several other categories as well.
ALUMNI REPORT NOW ONLINE: We've recently added a Nashville Sounds Alumni Report to the Clubhouse section of our website. Updated weekly on Fridays, this is where you'll find the latest statistics of all active major & minor league players who have appeared in a Sounds uniform since the start of the 1998 season.
CRUZ LEADING MINORS IN HOMERS: Former Nashville Sound Ivan Cruz is leading all minor league hitters with 31 home runs this season while playing with the Memphis Redbirds. Cruz played for the Sounds during the 1999 & 2000 seasons.
ASK CHUCK: We've added a new feature to Sounds radio broadcasts this year: "Ask Chuck." Fans are encouraged to submit questions to Chuck Valenches, "the voice of the Sounds," via e-mail at chuckvalenches@nashvillesounds.com. He'll answer two questions during each home game broadcast. If your question is chosen, you'll win an exciting prize package courtesy of the Nashville Sounds.
FAMILY FUN AT THE BALLPARK: "When it comes to cheap family entertainment, it's hard to beat the Nashville Sounds." So comments the editorial staff of the Nashville Scene in a recent issue. Click here to read more ...
FAMILY FUN PACKS AVAILABLE ONLINE: Did you know you can purchase Sounds Family Fun Packs online? Enjoy a fun outing for four at the ballpark that includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, 4 souvenir baseballs, and one family-sized tub of popcorn for just $40 (regularly an $80 value). Just click on corresponding "Order Tickets" link from the desired game(s) below (or visit the Sounds online schedule and choose any of the remaining 2002 home dates), select four seats, and click on "Add To Cart" at the bottom of the screen. Then, enter promotion code "ffp" in the designated box on the left side of the screen. Once ordered, your tickets and accompanying vouchers can be picked up at the Greer Stadium will call window on the game date you select.
25 YEARS OF SOUNDS BASEBALL: The Tennessean recently put together a package celebrating the first 25 years of Nashville Sounds baseball. Visit www.nashvillesounds.com for a list of links.
POWER OUTAGE: Nashville batters have logged 186 consecutive homerless at-bats (47 innings) and have hit just one longball in 232 AB this homestand (seven games). The Sounds are tied for 14th among 16 league clubs with 99 home runs on the year.
SECRIST STEPPING IT UP: Utilityman Reed Secrist has hit safely in a season-best six straight games (9-for-18, .500, 9 R, 5 RBI) to increase his average to .263, its highest point since late June.
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER?: The Sounds are trying to end a seven-year playoff drought. Nashville has not made a post-season appearance since 1994, when they finished 83-61 and advanced to the American Association finals (lost 3-1 to Indianapolis). Nashville last won a division crown in 1993 (American Assoc. East, 81-62).
MAKING THEIR PITCH: Nashville hurlers have posted a 2.76 ERA (57er/186.1ip) over the team's last 21 games. Nashville's current 3.94 ERA ranks 2nd among PCL clubs (New Orleans, 3.26). The Sounds pace the Pacific Coast League with 999 strikeouts (27 K more than 2nd-ranked Oklahoma & Salt Lake's 972) and have issued the fewest walks (327) among all PCL teams. Nashville is just 43 punchouts shy of the all-time franchise record (1,042, set in 1998).
SETTING THE TABLE: Over the past 12 games, the Sounds 1 & 2 hitters (Tike Redman, Adrian Brown, Curtis Pride) are batting a combined .326 (31-for-95) with 19 runs scored and 11 RBI. They've also swiped 12 bags over that span.
A.B. ON THE BALL: Outfielder Adrian Brown is batting .403 (52-for-129) over his last 35 games and holds the Sounds' longest active hitting streak at eight games (12-for-31, .387). He has logged an impressive .380 batting average in 38 games with Nashville.
COTA EN FUEGO: Catcher Humberto Cota is batting .328 (44-for-134) in his last 35 games and has posted multiple-hit efforts in six of his last 12 contests (19-for-46, .413). He batted just .222 (52-for-234) over his first 73 games this season.
HOT LEATHER: Nashville fielders currently share the top fielding mark in the PCL (.980). The highest fielding percentage ever recorded by a Sounds club over a complete season is .976 by the 1992 squad.
SMOKIN' SALOMON: Nashville right-hander Salomon Torres turned in his best outing of the season on Monday night against Omaha. His one-hitter was Nashville's first since Bronson Arroyo's on July 22, 2001 vs. Portland. Torres' 14 strikeouts in the contest rank as the second-highest punchout total by a PCL pitcher this season (Edmonton's Johan Santana logged 16 Ks on April 29 vs. New Orleans). Torres was one strikeout short of the team record of 15, held by both Jamie Werly (8/28/81 vs. Charlotte) and Luis Vasquez (6/29/89 vs. Columbus). Following Monday night's effort, Torres jumped to 2nd among PCL hurlers with 126 strikeouts and 9th in the circuit with a 3.70 ERA. Torres logged Nashville's fourth nine-inning complete-game shutout on the year, joining Brian Meadows, Tony McKnight, and Bronson Arroyo in accomplishing the feat.
LOONEY ACTIVATED: Left-hander Brian Looney has been activated from the disabled list after missing a week of action due to a left ankle sprain. He has posted an 0-1 record and 7.56 ERA (7er/8.1ip) in two starts for the Sounds since joining the club from Double-A Altoona on August 2. Looney fills the active roster spot vacated when Al Reyes was promoted to Pittsburgh on Friday.
SOUND BYTES: The Sounds have won four straight and seven of their last eight against Memphis ... Nashville is 12-13 in games started by Tony McKnight ... Tike Redman is batting .326 (28-for-86) in his last 19 games ... Armando Romero is batting .412 (7-for-17) over his last six games ... Curtis Pride has 24 hits in his last 74 AB (.324) ... Luis Garcia has hit safely in five straight games and has seven hits in 17 AB in August (.412 average) ... Chris Pritchett's second-inning triple on Tuesday snapped a 14 at-bat hitless stretch and is his lone knock in his last 17 AB (.059) ... The Sounds have gotten on the board early this year, scoring 42 percent of their runs (254 of 605) in the first three innings ... Catcher Humberto Cota has allowed 15 thefts in the last 17 attempts against him ... Mendy Lopez, the Sounds' RBI leader (66), is hitless in his last 17 at-bats after recording 11 knocks in his previous 22 AB.
For more information, please visit the Nashville Sounds' home on the web at www.nashvillesounds.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 22, 2002
- Record Crowd Watches Beavers Take out Stingers - Portland Beavers
- North Division Champions - Edmonton Trappers
- Beavers Get Eaton on Rehab Assignment - Portland Beavers
- On Tap At Greer Stadium - Nashville Sounds
- Fyhrie Named PCL Pitcher of the Week - Sacramento River Cats
- Beavers Close Out Home Schedule with Great Theme Nights - Portland Beavers
- Playoff Teams to Battle Again - Round Rock Express
- River Cats Appoint New President & COO - Sacramento River Cats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
