PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Swept By Iowa In Doubleheader

Published on April 12, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds' sluggish start to the 2008 season continued in their home debut on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium as they were swept in a doubleheader by the division-rival Iowa Cubs.

With the 5-1 and 3-1 defeats, Nashville dropped to 1-9 to open the year and has lost six straight games.

Sounds first baseman Brad Nelson extended his season-opening hitting streak to eight games with knocks in each tilt.

Iowa broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out rally in the fourth inning of the opener, plating four runs against Sounds starter Nic Ungs in the frame to go on to a 5-1 victory.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the opener when Nashville rightfielder Brendan Katin dropped a two-out fly ball in the top of the third, allowing Matt Murton, who had walked, to score the contest's first run in unearned fashion.

Nashville tied the contest in the bottom of the frame with an unearned run of its own. Nelson reached on a two-out double to right-center, moved to third on a Sean Gallagher wild pitch, and scored when Iowa shortstop Andres Blanco mishandled a Vinny Rottino grounder.

The Cubs pulled comfortably ahead with a four-run outburst in the top of the fifth. Centerfielder Sam Fuld gave the visitors a 2-1 lead with a two-out solo homer to right off Ungs, his first of the year.

The two-out rally continued against Ungs as Murton drew his third walk of the game before Jake Fox and Josh Kroeger delivered back-to-back singles, the second of which plated Murton and chased Ungs. Cubs third baseman Casey McGehee greeted reliever Tim Dillard with a first-pitch RBI single up the middle to increase the lead to 4-1 and Koyie Hill followed with an run-scoring knock down the left field line.

Cubs reliever Geoff Jones (2-1) picked up the victory in the opener with two scoreless innings of work behind Gallagher. Ungs (1-1) took his first loss after giving up five runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks in 4 2/3 frames.

In the nightcap, third baseman Russell Branyan gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with a one-out RBI single up the middle off Cubs starter Randy Keisler that plated Vinny Rottino, who had doubled.

Iowa grabbed a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth against Sounds reliever Steve Bray. Murton opened the inning with a single and Josh Kroeger was hit by a pitch before Jake Fox ripped a two-run triple just inside the first base bag into the right field corner. Fox came around to score a third run on the play following a throwing error by Sounds right fielder Brendan Katin.

Cubs reliever Neal Cotts (1-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings of work behind Keisler, who allowed one run in three innings but departed after throwing 62 pitches. Bray (0-1) absorbed the loss for the Sounds after allowing all three Cubs runs in his one inning of work.

Left-hander Lindsay Gulin worked five scoreless frames for Nashville, working around six walks in lowering his season ERA to 1.04 through two starts.

The teams continue the series with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday afternoon. Left-hander Zach Jackson (0-2, 8.18) makes his third start of the year for the Sounds. Iowa will counter with southpaw J.R. Mathes (0-0, 4.50).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 12, 2008


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