PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Back On Winning Note With 4-0 Victory

August 20, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE — Jeff Bennett – who hails from nearby Brush Creek, Tenn. – provided five much-needed scoreless innings in a spot start, rightfielder Dave Doster cut down a runner at the plate, and Adam Hyzdu's three-run homer in the eighth all led to the Nashville Sounds breaking their six-game losing streak with a 4-0 victory against the Oklahoma RedHawks on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium.

The win – Nashville's league-leading 14th shutout of the season – gives the Sounds a five-game lead in the PCL East Division, a lead that could swell to 5 ½ or return to 4 ½ later this evening, depending on how second-place New Orleans fares in Memphis. Nashville's magic number to clinch the division stands at 8.

Bennett (1-1), who was filling the starting spot of the departed Matt Bruback, earned his first victory in a Sounds uniform by tossing five shutout innings while limiting a RedHawks offense that recorded 19 hits the previous night to two hits.

In Bennett's last inning of work, the defense behind him kept the game scoreless. With Gerald Laird at third and one out, RedHawks second baseman Jeff Pickler hit a liner to Dave Doster in right. Laird broke for home and Doster delivered a throw on the money to catcher Brad King, nailing Laird.

King broke the scoreless battle in the Sounds' half of the frame with a double to left-center off Oklahoma starter Rosman Garcia, scoring Humberto Cota from second. Nashville was denied a second run in the inning when Doster's line drive was snared by RedHawks shortstop Manny Alexander, who made a snow-cone grab.

Oklahoma would threaten in both the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, the RedHawks had runners at second and third with out and Mike Lamb, who had six RBI the previous night, at the plate. Reliever Frank Brooks fanned him, one of four punchouts Lamb would have on the day, and induced Jason Hart to pop out to escape the jam without harm.

The situation was even dicier one inning later. The RedHawks had runners at second and third with no outs. However, they failed to produce a run as John Grabow recorded two strikeouts and got pinch-hitter Danny Ardoin to ground out to Aaron Holbert at short.

Hyzdu gave the Sounds some much-needed breathing room in the last of the eighth. After Bobby Hill and Dave Doster reached base with a walk and a single, Hyzdu unloaded off of reliever Victor Santos with his fourth tater of the season to extend the lead to a comfortable 4-0.

Nashville will look to build off the win by sending right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (11-8, 4.73) to the mound in Thursday's 7:00 p.m. contest. Oklahoma will counter with righty Mickey Callaway (2-0, 2.76). Another pitcher, Hall-of-Famer Jim Palmer, will be at Greer Stadium as part of a minor-league wide tour promoting awareness of gastroesophageal reflux disease. He will throw out the first pitch and sign autographs for fans.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 20, 2003


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