PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Lose Homestand Opener, 5-2

July 29, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE — Albuquerque starter Scott Sanders tossed a complete game and veteran outfielder Gerald Williams continued his hot hitting with a 4-for-5 effort, missing the cycle by a home run, to lead the visiting Isotopes to a 5-2 victory over the first-place Nashville Sounds on Tuesday night in the opener of a four-game series at Greer Stadium.

Two unearned runs allowed in the top of the seventh inning were costly for the Sounds (62-46), who lost for only the fourth time in their last 19 home contests.

The visiting Isotopes were already leading 2-0 in the seventh when Williams tripled off the wall in the left with one down against Sounds reliever John Grabow, who was making his Greer Stadium debut. After a two-out walk to Chad Allen, former Sound Jason Wood grounded into the hole at short. Aaron Holbert made a low throw to first where Rob Mackowiak was unable to pick the errant toss, allowing Williams to score. Allen scored later in the frame on an Abraham Nunez infield single to up the lead to 4-0.

The two runs loomed large as the Sounds fought back in last of the seventh with two runs of their own. J.J. Davis led off the inning by blasting his team-leading 21st longball over the wall in left. His 21 home runs put him in a tie for second in the Pacific Coast League, equaling the total of Sacramento's Graham Koonce and trailing Albuquerque's Rob Stratton, whose 29 big flies pace the league.

Tony Alvarez followed Davis' homer by doubling off the glove of Allen in left. He scored one batter later on Mike Gulan's RBI single to right-center. The rally died quickly, however, as Rob Mackowiak grounded into a double play, turned spectacularly by Erickson, who made a diving stop to start the twin-killing, and Kevin Hooper, who flipped on to first to retire Mackowiak. Holbert then flied out weakly to left, ending the inning.

Albuquerque added a run in the eighth after Matt Treanor walked, advanced to second on a single by Hooper, took third on Sanders' double play ball, and scored on a Williams single.

Sanders (6-3) allowing six hits while fanning 11 to earn the win and pick up his second complete game of the season. Ryan Vogelsong (10-7) struggled with his pitch count, throwing 95 pitches and allowing two runs in just four innings of work to take the loss.

The Sounds and Isotopes continue their series with Wednesday's 7:00 p.m. contest. Nashville right-hander Nelson Figueroa (11-5, 3.14) will look for his Pacific Coast League-leading 12th victory. He'll take the hill to face Albuquerque right-hander Jason Grilli (2-2, 3.58).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 29, 2003


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