River Cats Edge Sounds In Series Opener, 11-9
Published on August 18, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Sacramento River Cats slammed four home runs to build an early lead then withstood a late Nashville rally to post a 11-9 victory over the Sounds on Tuesday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series.
Nashville (65-59) faced a 9-2 deficit after seven frames then scored seven runs over the final two innings and had the potential tying run in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the ninth before falling short.
Sacramento first baseman Jeff Baisley led the visitors' 16-hit attack with a 3-for-5, three-RBI effort and finished a triple short of the cycle in the contest.
Designated hitter Mat Gamel staked the Sounds to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with his tenth home run of the year, a two-run shot to right-center off Sacramento starter Jerome Williams. Gamel's longball extended his hitting streak to eight games, matching his best effort this season.
The River Cats used a trio of third-inning longballs to jump out to a 4-2 lead against Sounds starter Chris Cody. Catcher Anthony Recker evened the score at 2-2 with a two-run blast to left-center that careened off the guitar-shaped scoreboard. Later in the frame, third sacker Brett Wallace propelled the visitors into the lead later in the frame with a two-out solo longball to right-center, his 11th roundtripper of the year. Aaron Cunningham followed Wallace's blast with a solo homer to left, his tenth of the year.
Sacramento added to its lead in the fourth. After loading the bases with none out against Cody, Eric Patterson lifted a sacrifice fly to left to up the advantage to 5-2. Sounds shortstop J.J. Hardy thwarted the Cats' attempt to further increase the lead when he threw out Adrian Cardenas at home while he tried to score on a groundout.
The River Cats put the game out of reach with a four-spot in the top of the seventh against Sounds reliever Matt Ginter. Cunningham ripped an RBI double into the left field corner before ex-Sound Eric Munson followed with a two-run two-bagger down the right field line. Baisley added a two-out RBI single later in the frame to increase the lead to 9-2.
Nashville first baseman Joe Koshansky pulled into a tie for the team lead when he clubbed his 20th home run of the year in the bottom of the eighth inning, a three-run shot to right that chased Williams from the contest. The blast, which also scored Adam Stern and Corey Patterson, made it a 9-5 contest.
Baisley closed out the visitors' scoring with a two-run homer off David Johnson in the top of the ninth inning, the first baseman's eighth tater of the year.
For the second straight evening, the Sounds didn't go down without a fight when facing a ninth-inning deficit. After loading the bases with one out against River Cats reliever Henry Rodriguez on a pair of walks and a Stern single, Corey Patterson (3-for-5) emptied the bags when he greeted Sam Demel with a triple into the right field corner.
Hardy followed with an RBI single to left that pulled Nashville within 11-9. Koshansky stepped to the plate and ripped a double off Baisley's glove at first base to put the potential tying run on second with only one out. Demel recovered to fan Adam Heether for the second out and, after intentionally walking Gamel to load the bases, struck out Katin on four pitches to end the contest and preserve the win.
Williams (4-4) picked up the win for Sacramento after allowing five runs on seven hits over 7 1/3 innings.
Cody (6-7) took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits, including three homers, in only four frames of action.
The clubs continue the series at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night. Right-hander Mike Jones will make his career Triple-A debut when he mans the bump for the Sounds to face right-hander Clayton Mortensen (7-7, 4.31).
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 18, 2009
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- River Cats Edge Sounds In Series Opener, 11-9 - Nashville Sounds
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- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
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