PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Rainiers' Four Homers Too Much For Sounds

Published on July 24, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tacoma Rainiers belted four home runs, including two by designated hitter Victor Diaz, in hanging a 9-1 defeat on the Nashville Sounds on Thursday evening in front of 7,394 fans at Greer Stadium.

Tacoma grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning without recording a hit against Sounds starter Richie Gardner. With one out, Luis Valbuena drew a walk, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Carlos Corporan, before scoring in unearned fashion on a Tug Hulett sacrifice fly.

The Rainiers increased the lead to 7-0 in the fifth with a six-run rally against Gardner that was highlighted by back-to-back two-out home runs to right-center by Diaz and ex-Sound Craig Wilson that both careened off the clubhouse building beyond the wall in right-center. Diaz's three-run homer was the slugger's team-leading 17th of the year. Wilson followed with a solo shot, his third longball of the year, which chased Gardner.

Tacoma added another run in the seventh when Diaz belted his second home run of the evening, a two-out solo shot to right off Nashville reliever Randy Choate that made it an 8-0 game.

The Sounds got on the board in the home half of the seventh. Brad Nelson greeted Rainiers reliever Oscar Villarreal with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Vinny Rottino groundout.

Hulett wrapped up the evening's scoring in the top of the ninth with a one-out solo homer to right off Troy Cate, his 11th roundtripper of the year.

Nashville (41-64) finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the contest, including failing to score with the bases loaded and none out in the bottom of the ninth as Jon Huber induced a flyout from Brendan Katin then Rottino hit into a game-ending double play.

Tacoma starter Ryan Feierabend (5-1) picked up the win after working six scoreless frames in his first start for the club since mid-May. He allowed three hits and struck out four batters in his return from the disabled list.

Gardner (6-4) drew the loss after he surrendered a season-high seven runs (six earned) on six hits in his 4 2/3 frames and drew a loss for the second straight outing.

The teams wrap up the four-game set with a 7 p.m. finale on Friday evening. Left-hander Sam Narron (6-3, 4.50) will make the start for the Sounds to face Tacoma southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith (NR), who will make his first Triple-A appearance of the season.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 24, 2008


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