PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Hang Ten on Redbirds in Series Opener

Published on June 11, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds handed the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds a 10-4 defeat on Monday evening at AutoZone Park in the opener of a three-game series.

The 10 runs scored by Nashville (25-40) set a season-high and marked the first time that the Sounds scored double-digit runs this season. Coming into the contest, Nashville was the only PCL team to not to achieve that feat.

First baseman Jordan Brown and right fielder Jay Gibbons each belted two-run homers in the victory for the Sounds, who were previously winless in road series openers (0-9). Seven Sounds had at least one hit, led by two each from center fielder Logan Schafer and third baseman Andy Gonzalez.

With six strikeouts and only one baserunner due to a walk to the pitcher, Redbirds starting pitcher and Cardinals top prospect Shelby Miller was cruising until running into trouble in the top of the fourth inning. After Schafer hit a one-out single, Brown went yard over the right field wall. The long ball was Brown's fourth of the year. Two batters later after Miller hit Gonzalez with a fastball in the ribs, Gibbons crushed a two-run bomb into the Nashville bullpen in right center for a 4-0 lead.

Memphis cut the lead in half in the following frame by loading the bases with two outs thanks to two walks and a fielding error by shortstop Jeff Bianchi. Redbirds Eugenio Velez then doubled off the centerfield wall to plate two runners.

Nashville got the two runs back for a 6-2 lead in the fifth. Left fielder Caleb Gindl and Bianchi led off with singles to remove Miller from the contest before Schafer singled to load the bases. Gonzalez followed with a two-run single to right off reliever Barret Browning.

Memphis cut the lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runs off reliever Mike McClendon, who walked Velez before surrendering three consecutive hits to left field, highlighted by a two-run double by Pete Kozma.

Nashville added two more runs in the eighth to push the lead back to four runs at 8-4. Redbirds reliever Clay Zavada walked Gonzalez and hit Gibbons before second baseman Eric Farris lined an RBI double down the left field line. Zacada would then throw a wild pitch to allow Gibbons to trot home and score.

Nashville tacked on two insurance runs in the ninth as Bianchi walked, stole second base, and scored on a Shafer RBI single. Gonzalez followed with a two-out, RBI single to right.

Sounds starter Brian Baker escaped two based-loaded jams while tossing three scoreless innings for a no-decision. The 29-year-old walked a career high six batters and also struck out two with 68 pitches (32 strikes).

Vinnie Chulk (2-0) matched his longest relief outing of the season with three innings of work for the win, allowing two unearned runs on three hits. McClendon gave up two runs on three hits in an inning. Jim Henderson ended the contest with two scoreless frames.

Miller (4-5) was charged with six runs on five hits in four-plus innings for the loss. The prospect struck out seven (including five of his first six) while walking two.

The Sounds and cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds continue with the second game of their three-game series at 7:05 pm CT on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park. Nashville right-hander Wily Peralta (1-7, 6.60) takes the mound against Memphis southpaw Nick Additon.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 11, 2012


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