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PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Come Back to Top Z's in 10, 5-3

April 26, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


METAIRIE, La. - Shortstop Luis Cruz delivered a two-run single in the top of the tenth inning to propel the Nashville Sounds to an exciting, come-from-behind 5-3 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Monday evening at Zephyr Field.

It was the fourth straight win for Nashville (13-6), which improved to 10-1 in road games and 2-1 when playing extra frames this season.

After trailing 3-1 in the eighth, the Sounds rallied to a late tie before pushing ahead for the first time all night in the decisive tenth.

Erick Almonte drew a one-out walk from Zephyrs reliever Jose Veras to get things started in the tenth. Norris Hopper (3-for-5) followed with a double to right to put two runners in scoring position for Cruz, who plated both men with his game-winning single to center.

Sounds closer Chris Smith retired New Orleans in order in the bottom of the tenth to preserve the victory and earn his league-leading eighth save of the year.

The late Nashville rally made a winner out of John Axford (2-2), who fanned two batters in one scoreless frame of work. Veras (0-1) was saddled with the loss after surrendering a pair of runs in his lone inning.

The Zephyrs grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first on third baseman Hector Luna's fourth home run of the season, a two-out solo shot to center off Sounds starter Chris Waters.

New Orleans doubled its advantage in the third when Luna struck again with two down, plating Bryan Petersen with an RBI single to left.

The Sounds halved the lead to 2-1 in the fifth. Ben Johnson doubled to right with one out and later scored in unearned fashion when Eric Farris extended his season-best hitting streak to five games with a two-out infield single. Luna committed a throwing error from the hot corner on the play, allowing Johnson to put Nashville on the board.

The Z's added a run in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 3-1 but missed an opportunity for much more after loading the bases with no outs against Waters.

After the left-hander struck out Jones for the first out, Petersen plated Scott Cousins with a single to center before Waters popped up Emilio Bonafacio and reliever Tim Dillard came on to leave the sacks full of New Orleans baserunners when he induced an inning-ending groundout from Luna.

Nashville rallied for a pair of runs to tie the contest at 3-3 in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Brett Dowdy led off with a single against Jones then scored to make it a one-run affair on Ray Olmedo's one-out double to left, which chased the New Orleans starter.

After Olmedo stole third, Zephyrs reliever Kasey Olenberger caught Adam Heether looking before another two-out Z's fielding gaff cost the home team. Shortstop Ryan Klosterman was unable to handle an Almonte grounder, allowing Olmedo to cross the dish with the tying run.

Jones, who left in line for a victory following a quality start for the Z's, was left with a no-decision after holding the Sounds to three runs (one earned) on five hits over his 7 1/3 innings.

Nashville will try to secure a four-game sweep when the teams wrap up the series with an 11:30 a.m. contest on Tuesday morning. Left-hander Chase Wright (1-0, 3.63) will man the bump for the Sounds to face New Orleans right-hander Jorge Sosa (1-0, 1.80).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 26, 2010


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