PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds Take Third Straight From Omaha, 6-4

Published on July 20, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


OMAHA - The Nashville Sounds completed just their third winning road series this season by recording their third straight victory over the Omaha Royals on Sunday afternoon, a 6-4 decision at Rosenblatt Stadium in the finale of a four-game set.

The victory improved the Sounds' record to 58-42, the club's highest standing above .500 since it completed the 1999 season with a 80-60 mark.

Starter Nelson Figueroa picked up his Pacific Coast League-leading 11th victory in the contest and closer Mark Corey matched a Sounds franchise record by tossing a perfect ninth to notch his circuit-leading 27th save of the campaign.

The Sounds offense struck early, plating five runs over the first three innings of play against Omaha starter Jamey Wright. John Barnes drilled the first pitch he saw from Wright out of the ballpark in the top of the first to give Nashville a quick 1-0 lead. The round-tripper was Barnes' ninth of the year.

The Sounds plated three more in the second. Aaron Holbert brought home a pair of runs on a two-run double and moved to third on the throw home on the play. After Tike Redman reached base, the runners executed a double steal. Holbert stole home for the second time this season on the play to increase the Nashville advantage to 4-0.

Third baseman Mike Gulan belted a one-out, 1-0 Wright pitch out of the park in the top of third, a solo shot to up the advantage to 5-0. It was his ninth longball of the season and first in over a month.

Omaha mounted a comeback against Figueroa over the next few innings. Royals third baseman Brian Harris smacked a solo homer to right to put the home team on the board in the bottom of the third. Mike Kelly plated a second run in the inning with a sacrifice fly.

The Royals used a pair of solo blasts to pull within a run at 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth. Fernando Lunar and David DeJesus did the damage against Figueroa (11-5), who exited the game following the inning but picked up his fifth consecutive victory to take sole possession of the PCL wins lead.

Nashville scored an insurance run in the sixth. Rob Mackowiak led off the frame with a double, moved to third on a Tomas de la Rosa sacrifice bunt, and scored on an RBI single by Aaron Holbert, who finished the day with a three-RBI effort for the Sounds.

Corey retired Omaha in order in the ninth to end the game and equal the Sounds' single-season saves mark, which was established by Geoff Combe in 1979. Corey also matched his career-high in saves, previously accomplished in 2001 while in the New York Mets organization.

Wright (4-4) took the loss for Omaha after allowing all six Nashville runs in his outing.

The Sounds move on to Oklahoma City on Monday to open a four-game series with the division-rival RedHawks and begin the second leg of their road trip. Nashville holds a 4-3 lead in the season series between the clubs.

Nashville manager Trent Jewett has yet to announce his starter for the 7:05 p.m. series opener although right-hander Justin Reid (2-3, 4.68) is a likely candidate to be summoned to fill in for Matt Guerrier, who will miss the start after being placed on the disabled list on Friday due to right rotator cuff tendinitis. Oklahoma will counter with right-hander Victor Santos (4-3, 2.96).

Check out the Nashville Sounds Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 20, 2003


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.

OurSports Central