Sounds Fall To Royals In Series Opener
Published on May 8, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
OMAHA, Neb. - The Nashville Sounds came up on the short end of a 6-5 loss to the division-rival Omaha Royals on Friday evening at Rosenblatt Stadium in the opener of a five-game series.
The Sounds, who entered the ninth inning on the short end of a 6-3 deficit, rallied to pull within a run and had the potential game-tying run on third with only one out before Royals reliever Greg Atencio worked out of the jam with no further damage to preserve the one-run victory.
Tony Gwynn drove in a run and scored three of the other four Nashville runs on the evening, coming plateward each time on a two-out Brendan Katin hit.
Nashville took the first lead of the evening in the top of the fourth inning when Katin's two-out RBI double to left off Omaha starter Lenny DiNardo. Gwynn, who opened the inning by reaching on a DiNardo error, scored in unearned fashion on the play to put the visitors on top, 1-0.
The host Royals rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth against Sounds starter Chase Wright, using a pair of two-run doubles off the bats of Irving Falu and Ryan Shealy to take a 4-1 lead. Three of the four runs came home unearned following an inning-opening error by second baseman Michael Garciaparra, who made his Nashville debut in the contest.
The Sounds got a run back in the sixth when Katin delivered his second two-out, run-scoring knock of the evening, a single to center off DiNardo that plated Gwynn.
Omaha right fielder Brian Buchanan increased the Royals' lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the frame when he slugged his first home run of the season, a one-out solo shot to right off Wright. The Royals added another run later in the frame when Ed Lucas greeted Sounds reliever David Johnson with an RBI single.
The Gwynn-Katin tag team worked together again one more time for the Sounds in the eighth as the leadoff hitter drew a walk before being driven home for the third occasion in the contest by the cleanup hitter's second double of the night and tenth two-bagger of the year, which ties Mat Gamel for the club lead. Katin's two-out double to left came against Royals reliever Carlos Rosa.
Nashville catcher Angel Salome led off the top of the ninth with a solo homer to right off Sosa. The backstop's second longball of the year reduced the deficit to 6-4.
Erick Almonte followed with a double and pinch-hitter Hernan Iribarren greeted Omaha reliever Dusty Hughes with a single to put runners on the corners. Gwynn followed by ripping an RBI double to right to chase Hughes and pull Nashville within a run at 6-5.
Atencio was summoned from the Royals bullpen and struck out Alcides Escobar for the second out of the frame before intentionally walking Gamel to load the bases for Katin, who lined out to left to end the contest.
DiNardo (2-1) picked up his second victory of the year with a quality start for the Royals. The southpaw allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out seven batters over his seven frames of work.
Wright (1-4) took the loss for Nashville after surrendering six runs (two earned) on six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The division rivals continue their series with another 7:05 p.m. meeting on Saturday night. Right-hander Nick Green (2-2, 4.18) will make the start for the Sounds and face Omaha southpaw Heath Phillips (1-3, 6.56).
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 8, 2009
- Shootout goes Round Rock's way - Round Rock Express
- Cubs blow away Redbirds, 7-2 - Iowa Cubs
- Sounds Fall To Royals In Series Opener - Nashville Sounds
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- RedHawks Upcoming Promotions - Oklahoma City Comets
- Season Ticket Grant Awarded - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sky Sox Edge Beavers For Series Win - Portland Beavers
- Aces Top River Cats In Finale, 4-1 - Reno Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
