PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Drop Series Finale To Sky Sox, 5-1

Published on May 1, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds could only muster one run on four hits in a 5-1 defeat against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Greer Stadium on Thursday night.

Three Sky Sox relievers combined to pitch five innings of two-hit scoreless ball after starter Sean Smith (0-0) gave up the only run in the second inning. Smith could not earn the win because he only pitched four innings of work, so that honor went to Cedric Bowers (1-0).

The loss spoiled the Sounds' first chance at a winning series this season after consecutive wins against the Sky Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jeff Weaver, who signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee on April 16, made his first start of the season and shook off whatever rust he had quickly by striking out four of the first five batters he faced.

Ozzie Chavez scored the lone Sounds run in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI double that brought Russell Branyan around to score. Branyan reached on an infield single and moved to second on a walk from Eric Munson, who then went to third on Chavez's double. Weaver had a chance to help himself with runners on second and third, but he struck out to end the inning.

Colorado Springs starter Smith did just the opposite by knocking a one-out double in the top of the third inning. Jayson Nix walked in the next at-bat, and Cory Sullivan followed with a three-run homer to right field to give the Sky Sox the lead. Weaver finally ended the 29-pitch inning by striking out third baseman Ian Stewart.

Sullivan's home run was his second on the year, and his 3-for-5 night helped improve his average for the series to .533 with five RBIs.

Weaver's struggles with the top of the Sky Sox order continued in the top of the fifth inning when he gave up consecutive singles to Nix and Sullivan to start the inning. Nix then scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Seth Smith, with Sullivan out at second on the play. Weaver minimized the damage though, inducing a ground ball double play from Stewart in the next at bat.

The Sky Sox padded their lead in the top of the sixth inning when Humberto Cota knocked Sean Barker home with a single off of Zach Jackson, who made only the third relief appearance of his career and his first of the season. Jackson then loaded the bases with two back-to-back walks to make things interesting, but he did what Weaver could not by getting Sullivan out to end the inning.

The Sounds threatened in the ninth against Sky Sox reliever Steven Register with two singles from Joe Dillon and Brad Nelson, but Branyan struck out to end the game.

Weaver got the loss (0-1) after giving up four runs in five innings on six hits. He struck out seven batters on 80 pitches with 53 going for strikes. Steve Bray pitched one and a third innings of scoreless relief without allowing a single baserunner.

The Sounds will continue their homestand with a four-game series against the Salt Lake Bees beginning with Saturday's 7 p.m. opener at Greer Stadium. Southpaw Chris Narveson (0-4, 4.18) will take the mound for Nashville and right-hander David Austen (NR) will start for Salt Lake.

Fans can enjoy the Sounds' first fireworks show of the year following the on-field action.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 1, 2008


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