Sounds Conclude Trip With Doubleheader Split
Published on June 16, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
DES MOINES - The Nashville Sounds closed out their road trip by splitting a doubleheader against the first-place Iowa Cubs on Monday afternoon at Principal Park.
The Sounds snapped an eight-game losing streak by posting a 3-1 victory over the Cubs in the opener before Iowa plated six late runs in the second contest to hang an 8-4 defeat on Nashville.
Nashville (28-43) finished just 1-8 on their nine-game trip, including dropping four of five to the front-running Cubs.
Sounds catcher Vinny Rottino singled in the first game to extend his hitting streak to 24 games, matching the longest in the Pacific Coast League this season, then went 0-for-2 in the nightcap to bring it to a close. Rottino batted an impressive .368 (32-for-87) during the streak, which dated back to May 20.
Outfielder Mel Stocker swung the most productive bat for the Sounds on Monday, batting from the leadoff spot in both contests and finishing 4-for-7 with three runs scored.
In the day's opener, Nashville took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning with a rally against Iowa starter Randy Wells. With one out, Stocker singled then Tony Gwynn and Callix Crabbe drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Sounds cleanup hitter Brad Nelson followed with a two-run single to right to put the visitors on the board. Rottino plated the frame's third run with a sacrifice fly.
Iowa scratched across an unearned run in the fifth when former Sound Luis Figueroa reached on a fielding error by Crabbe at second base, was sacrificed to second, moved to third on an Andres Torres bunt single, and scored on a Felix Pie sacrifice fly.
Lindsay Gulin (3-4) made the start for the Sounds and earned the victory after he allowed one unearned run on three hits in six frames. It was the veteran southpaw's third quality start of the year.
Luis Pena closed out the win with a 1-2-3 seventh to notch his tenth save for Nashville.
Wells (6-2) took the loss despite turning in a quality start for the I-Cubs. He allowed three runs on six hits over six frames of action.
In the nightcap, Iowa sent 12 men to the plate during a six-run sixth against three members of the Nashville bullpen to net an 8-4 victory.
The Sounds took an early 1-0 lead after loading the bases with one out in the top of the first inning against Cubs starter Gregory Reinhard. Stocker scored from third on a Laynce Nix popout to shallow left field. Crabbe was thrown out a home attempting to score from second on the bizarre play.
Iowa grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame against spot starter Zach Jackson. Torres opened the game with a walk then scored the tying run from first when Pie followed with an RBI double to center. After moving to third on a flyout, Pie plated the second Cubs run of the frame following a Rottino passed ball.
Nashville jumped back in front in the see-saw contest with a pair of runs in the third. Jackson, Stocker, and Gwynn opened the frame with three consecutive singles, the third of which tied the score at 2-2. Crabbe followed with a go-ahead sacrifice fly to right.
The Cubs were the final team to put runs on the board, plating six runs in the bottom of the sixth as they sent 12 men to the plate against the Nashville bullpen to take an 8-3 lead.
Pie made it a 3-3 game when he led off with his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot to right off Sounds reliever Mitch Stetter. Jason Dubois drew a walk and, after Stetter was replaced by Jason Shiell, Casey McGehee walked and Bobby Scales singled to load the bases with only one out.
Figueroa followed with a potential double play grounder but Crabbe's throw to shortstop Chris Woodward at second was off the mark, allowing a pair of runs to score to give the Cubs a two-run lead. Three batters later, Torres reached on a two-out RBI infield single to make it a 6-3 game before Pie concluded the onslaught against Shiell with a two-run single to right.
The Sounds didn't go down without a fight in the seventh, however. Nix led off with a triple to center and later scored on a Woodward single to pull the visitors within 8-4. Nashville put runners on first and second before Jim Brower induced a game-ending double play grounder from pinch-hitter Brendan Katin.
Brower (2-0) was the beneficiary of the late Cubs outburst and picked up the win after allowing one run on three hits over his two frames.
Stetter (0-3) took the loss after being charged with two runs in his 1 1/3 innings of work.
The Sounds return to Music City on Tuesday to begin an eight-game homestand that features visits by Oklahoma and Memphis.
Rehabbing right-hander David Riske - who has been on the Milwaukee Brewers' disabled list since May 15 with a hyper-extended right elbow - is slated to start Tuesday's 7 p.m. series opener for the Sounds. He is expected to throw one inning before turning things over to right-hander Ben Howard (2-2, 3.92). The RedHawks will counter with right-hander Steve Rowe (2-2, 4.72).
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 16, 2008
- Stokes hurls Zephyrs past Oklahoma - New Orleans Baby Cakes
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- Beavers aid in Myanmar efforts - Portland Beavers
- Cubs split with Sounds - Iowa Cubs
- Isotopes Sweep Player Of The Week Honors - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Conclude Trip With Doubleheader Split - Nashville Sounds
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sky Sox Homer in 11th Defeats Sidewinders 12-9 - Tucson Sidewinders
- De La Cruz Deliver's âTopes' 7-1 Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
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