Sounds Drop Series Opener in Iowa, 4-3
Published on August 21, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Cubs scored four unanswered runs to hang a 4-3 defeat on the Nashville Sounds on Saturday evening at Principal Park in the opener of a four-game series.
With the win, the first-place I-Cubs stretched their lead over Nashville (66-61) to seven games in the PCL American Conference Northern Division, matching the Sounds' largest deficit of the season.
The Nashville bullpen was unable to protect a 3-0 lead for Sounds starter Chase Wright, who took a no-decision and has notched just one victory in his last 11 trips to the hill.
Sounds first baseman Joe Koshansky gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when he slugged his team-leading 21st home run of the season, a one-out shot to left-center off Iowa starter Jeff Samardzija.
Nashville doubled its advantage in the fifth when shortstop Luis Cruz doubled with one out and later scored on a Martin Maldonado groundout to make it a 2-0 contest.
The lead increased to 3-0 in the sixth as the Sounds manufactured a run. Adam Stern led off with a walk and Eric Farris singled before Ray Olmedo laid down his team-leading 13th sacrifice bunt of the year to advance the runners a base. Brendan Katin then lifted a sacrifice fly to right to plate Stern.
The Sounds' lead evaporated with one Mitch Stetter pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning as Cubs third baseman Marquez Smith greeted the southpaw reliever by tattooing a three-run homer to left-center, his 13th longball of the year. James Adduci and Ty Wright opened the frame with consecutive singles off Nashville starter Chase Wright before Stetter was summoned from the bullpen to face Smith.
Iowa took its first lead of the night in the eighth against Sounds reliever Chuck Löfgren when Micah Hoffpauir drew a one-out walk and later scampered home to score the game-winning run on a two-out wild pitch by the left-hander.
The Sounds didn't go down without a fight, however.
Maldonado led off the Nashville ninth with a double off Brian Schlitter. The Cubs reliever recovered to retire pinch-hitter Erick Almonte on a flyout before walking Stern and allowing a single to Farris to load the bases with one out. Olmedo followed with a grounder to first that resulted in a forceout at the plate for the second out of the frame.
Schlitter struck Katin out swinging to leave the bags full and preserve the Cubs' victory, earning his 13th save of the year.
The late Cubs run made a winner out of reliever Scott Maine (3-1), who tossed a scoreless inning.
Löfgren (7-8) was saddled with the loss after surrendering the go-ahead run in his lone frame of action.
The teams continue the series with a 1:05 p.m. matinee on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Marty McLeary (6-7, 6.98) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Iowa right-hander Jay Jackson (9-8, 4.29).
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 21, 2010
- Royals Outscore Memphis in Series Opener - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sounds Drop Series Opener in Iowa, 4-3 - Nashville Sounds
- Round Rock Express Drop Opener to Oklahoma City 4-3 - Round Rock Express
- Aces Reveal 2011 Home Schedule - Reno Aces
- Royals Release 2011 Home Schedule - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Iowa rallies late to top Sacramento - Sacramento River Cats
- Throwing error in ninth breaks scoreless tie as Portland falls, 3-1 - Portland Beavers
- Express Sweep Portland Beavers 3-1 - Round Rock Express
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