Ten-Run Seventh Gives Sounds Exciting Comeback and Series Victory
August 10, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
RENO, Nev. - The Nashville Sounds completed a four-game series sweep of the Reno Aces, thanks to a 10-run seventh inning rally in an 11-9 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Aces Ballpark.
With the win, The Sounds (60-59) finished 6-2 on the eight-game road trip through Colorado Springs and Reno and are posting a winning record for the first time since April 17th when they were 6-5.
The sweep was the third sweep of the season for the Sounds. Nashville previously swept New Orleans from June 25-28 at Greer Stadium and Iowa from July 18-21 at Principal Park. The Sounds were also swept by Reno at Aces Ballpark last season, their only meeting in 2010.
Exploding for at least 10 runs in four of the last six victories, the Sounds tied a club record by ripping eight doubles in the victory for the fifth time in club history, including five two-baggers in the seventh inning.
Trailing 7-0 after six innings, the seven-run comeback was the biggest this season, as Nashville previously produced six-run comebacks on June 2 vs. Iowa and July 5 vs. Memphis.
Reno jumped out to a 3-0 lead before making an out thanks to a pair of home runs in the bottom of the second inning. First baseman Juan Miranda crushed a leadoff homer over the right field berm, his fifth of the year. After catcher Konrad Schmidt was hit by starter Josh Butler, shortstop Angel Berroa crushed his second long ball of the season, a two-run shot to left for the next two runs.
Reno moved ahead at 4-0, as Butler got into trouble in the next inning after retiring the first two batters. Former Sounds outfielder Cole Gillespie got the rally started with a two-out single to left moved to third as the next two batters walked to load the bases. Butler then grazed Berroa with an inside fastball that allowed Gillespie to score.
The Aces tacked on three more runs for a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning courtesy of a season-high five walks by reliever Zack Segovia. The frame began similar to the second, as Gillespie started with a leadoff single for the only hit in the inning. Segovia would then issue walks to five of the next seven batters he faced, including three consecutive two-out walks with the bases loaded before being removed from the contest.
The Sounds scored 10 runs in the seventh inning by sending 14 batters to the dish, highlighted by five different run-scoring doubles, including two from first baseman Erick Almonte. The 10 runs scored were the most in an inning this season, as Almonte drove in the first two and final three runs.
New reliever Esmerling Vasquez walked center fielder Logan Schafer and hit third baseman Taylor Green to get things started. Both runners moved to scoring position on a wild pitch and scored when first baseman Almonte lined a double to left field. After Vasquez walked Maysonet, he was removed for reliever Kam Mickolio, who walked catcher Martin Maldonado to load the bases.
Consecutive first pitches from Mickolio were then attacked for two-run doubles by outfielders Caleb Gindl and Brandon Boggs for the next four runs. Boggs moved to third on a single from pinch hitter Mat Gamel and scored as Schafer ripped a game-tying RBI double to right field to chase Mickolio.
Former Sounds reliever Jeff Bennett then entered the game and intentionally walked Green to load the bases, before Almonte unloaded an opposite field, go-ahead, three-run double off the right field wall.
Nashville reliever Sean Green began the next frame and recorded the first out before getting into trouble. Reno quickly loaded the bases with a walk and two singles to remove Green. Randy Flores entered the game and induced an infield groundout and pop up to end the jam, but not before Reno scored a run to come with two runs at 10-8.
The Sounds tacked on an insurance run in the ninth for an 11-8 lead. Andy Gonzalez doubled, moved to third on a bunt single, and scored on a wild pitch.
Reno made the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth inning by rallying against reliever Randy Flores. May singled to lead off and scored on a Ryan Langerhans single combined with a Gonzalez throwing error to make it 11-9. After a controversial foul ball call down the third base line, Mike McClendon picked up his eighth save by throwing one pitch for a game-ending fly out.
A combined 18 walks were issued in the matinee finale between the clubs. Nashville issued nine walks, while Reno also walked nine for an offensive season-high for the Sounds. Maldonado worked a career-high three walks.
Butler matched a season-low with three innings pitched on the afternoon. The 26-year-old surrounded four runs on four hits and three walks and three strikeouts in 88 pitches (42 strikes).
Segovia tossed a scoreless fourth inning before allowing three runs on five walks in the fifth. Daniel Herrera (1-0) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Randy Flores worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
Reno starting pitcher Zach Kroenke's quality start was wasted, as the left-hander tossed six shutout frames while fanning four in a no-decision. Mickilo (2-3) took the loss after allowing five runs and not recording an out.
After a league-wide off day tomorrow, the Sounds travel back to Music City to welcome the Las Vegas 51s (AAA-Blue Jays) for a four game series, beginning at 7:05 pm CT on Friday evening at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Amaury Rivas (7-11, 5.01) is scheduled to make the start against Las Vegas right-hander Chad Beck (1-1, 4.50).
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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 10, 2011
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