PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Score Two in Ninth for Come-From-Behind 7-6 Win

August 1, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to top the Round Rock Express, 7-6, on Sunday night at historic Greer Stadium in the second game of a four-game set.

Second baseman Eric Farris hit a leadoff single to begin the inning and advanced to third as Mat Gamel followed with a base hit down the right field line. Erick Almonte added his first game-tying RBI of the season in the next at-bat as the professional hitter brought home Farris with an infield groundout to knot the game at six apiece. Brendon Katin's third hit of the night moved Almonte to second base, while Norris Hopper plated Almonte with an RBI single to center for the game-winning run.

The victory was Nashville's (57-51) 15th last at-bat win and eight come-from-behind victory trailing in the seventh inning or later this season. Hopper has accounted for three of Nashville's game-winning hits.

Sounds starter Marty McLeary helped us own cause and broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the fifth inning. The veteran right-hander crushed the first pitch he saw from Express starter Andy Van Hekken over the fence in left center for a 1-0 Nashville lead.

The home run by McLeary was Nashville's first hit by a pitcher in the last three seasons and second of his career, as he previously went deep on September 3, 2007 as a member of the Indianapolis Indians. Tim Dillard was the last pitcher to homer for the Sounds on June 28, 2007 at Albuquerque.

In the next frame, second baseman Farris hit a line drive to the right center gap and stretched it into a double to lead off the frame. Mat Gamel then knocked home Farris with another double down the first base line for a 2-0 Nashville advantage. The RBI was Gamel's 21st in his last 14 contests, as the slugger was tied for second among all PCL hitters with 28 RBIs in July.

After an intentional walk to Brendon Katin, shortstop Luis Cruz singled home Gamel for the next run. Van Hekken was then replaced for Mark Melancon, who surrendered an RBI grounder on the first pitch up the middle to Norris Hopper to plate Katin. The Sounds scored their final run of the frame to make it 5-0 on a fielding error that allowed Cruz to score.

In the Round Rock seventh, left fielder Colin DeLome put Round Rock on the board with his 10th home run of the season, a two-out solo shot over the right field wall. The Express tacked on three runs in the next inning, as Round Rock began the inning with a single and a double, followed by a two-run triple by Jack Shuck that cut the lead to two runs. After McLeary was replaced with Dillard, Edwin Maysonet singled to left field to cut the Nashville lead to 5-4.

With the Sounds leading 5-4 in the top of the ninth, Chris Smith blew his fourth save of the season after DeLome hit his second home run to right field to tie the game. German Duran followed with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice, advanced to third on an infield groundout, and came home on a double steal. Since returning to Nashville from Milwaukee, Smith has recorded a 7.61 ERA (11er/13.0ip) in his last 12 outings.

Both teams recorded blown saves on the night, with one pitcher taking the win and the other a loss. Smith (3-3) backed into the win after surrendering two runs on two hits in one inning pitched. Chris Sampson (0-1) blew a save and took the loss after giving up two runs in 2/3 innings thrown.

McLeary matched his season-high with seven plus innings pitched, allowing four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Dillard tossed a shutout inning for the Sounds in relief.

Nashville banged out 15 hits as Gamel and Katin each had three hits in the victory. Martin Maldonado hit a ground-rule double for the second consecutive night to go 1-for-4 on the night, as the catcher has now hit safely in 16 of his last 17 contests. Farris also added two hits to record a hit in 15 of his last 16 games.

Van Hekken allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings to earn a no decision.

The Sounds and Express will continue with the third game of a four-game set at 7:05 pm CT at historic Greer Stadium on Monday night. Nashville southpaw Sam Narron (6-4, 3.90) will take the mound against Round Rock righty Shane Loux (2-10, 7:03.).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 1, 2010


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