PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Fall Again To Sky Sox, 9-4

August 9, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS -- The Nashville Sounds could not tame the red-hot Colorado Springs Sky Sox offense on Friday evening, falling 9-4 in the second game of a five-game series.

Colorado Springs -- which has plated 32 runs over the last three games against Sounds pitching -- knocked out 15 hits and squandered several additional scoring opportunities, leaving 15 runners on base including the bases loaded three times.

Sky Sox outfielder Mark Sweeney continued his torrid hitting with a 4-for-4, five-RBI performance to lead the offensive attack. In two games in the series, Sweeney is 7-for-8 with an incredible 12 RBI.

The loss results in Nashville's first three-game losing streak since mid-June, when they dropped a season-high four straight contests. The Sounds fell to 67-51 with the defeat.

Colorado Springs jumped on Nashville starter Dave Williams early, plating six runs in the first two innings. An error by Sounds rightfielder Adam Hyzdu in the bottom of the first inning led to a pair of runs and Sweeney struck with a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double in the last of the second to spot the home team a 6-0 advantage.

Nashville got on the board in the third when John Barnes singled, moved to second when J.J. Davis was plunked, and came around to score when Hyzdu's grounder to short was thrown into right field by Sky Sox shortstop Clint Barmes on an attempted putout at second.

The Sky Sox struck again in the fifth. Brent Butler, who finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored, plated a pair of runs with a double then came around to score on an RBI single by Sweeney to increase the lead to 9-1.

Sounds skipper Trent Jewett, whose bullpen staff was short-handed due to the promotion of right-hander Pat Mahomes to Pittsburgh earlier in the day, turned to catcher Brad King to take the hill in the bottom of the eighth. King worked a scoreless inning, escaping a self-made bases-loaded jam, in his second relief stint of the year.

Nashville mounted a small rally in the top of the ninth against right-hander Doug Thompson, who was making his Sky Sox debut after being recalled from Double-A Tulsa on Thursday. The Sounds loaded the bases with none out before Tony Alvarez grounded into a double play; Dave Doster scored on the play. With two down, Rich Thompson (single) and Barnes (double) notched consecutive RBI hits before catcher Blake Barthol flew out to left to end the contest.

Sky Sox starter Chris Gissell (6-3) recorded his second win in as many starts against Nashville by allowing only one run while fanning six over seven innings of work. Williams (5-3) took the loss for the Sounds after allowing eight runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

The teams hook up for a 6:05 p.m. CDT doubleheader on Saturday evening to make up a rainout from the clubs' first series in Colorado Springs this season.

The opener will pit Nashville southpaw Tom Fordham (0-1, 6.07), who will be promoted from Double-A Altoona prior to the game, against Colorado Springs right-hander Jason Young (6-6, 3.70). Fordham, who spent time with the Sounds earlier this season before being sent to Altoona on July 2, went 5-2 in 13 games (12 starts) during his stint with the Curve.

The nightcap will feature yet-to-be-named bullpen starters for each club.

Check out the Nashville Sounds Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 9, 2003


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