Williams Puts Up More Zeros In 5-0 Victory
August 28, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release
NASHVILLE â Dave Williams extended his personal scoreless streak against New Orleans to 25 innings, blanking the Zephyrs over seven frames for the third time this team as the Sounds won their regular-season home finale, 5-0, on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium.
Williams (7-4) combined with fellow southpaws Mike Holtz and John Grabow to befuddle the Zephyrs as they tossed Nashville's PCL-leading 16th shutout.
Nashville would provide Williams with all the runs he would need in the bottom of the third. All-PCL team selectee John Barnes homered for the second time in as many days, his 13th roundtripper of the year. His blast drove in Rich Thompson, who made his return from the disabled list with a 2-for-3 night that included two steals, as well as Dave Doster, who singled.
The lead would be extended to five in the last of the sixth. With two down, Tomas de la Rosa â who collected two hits for the second straight game â singled and stole second. After Blake Barthol was intentionally walked, Williams helped his own cause with a single through the box to plate de la Rosa. Thompson followed with single to right, scoring Barthol for the final run.
The Sounds closed the season with a 47-24 mark in the friendly confines of Greer Stadium. The 4-1 mark against New Orleans in this series means that the Sounds did not lose a series contested at Greer since June 5-8, when they dropped three of four to Fresno. The streak spans nine series.
The success on the year and at home can be seen at the gates. With a final crowd of 3,847, the Sounds packed 387,435 fans into the seats this year, the highest mark since 1993. Nashville saw an increase in fans for the fourth consecutive year, up from 269,682 in 2000, 305,385 in 2001, and 322,059 in 2002.
The Sounds hit the road tomorrow to wrap up the 2003 regular season in Albuquerque, New Mexico with a four-game series against the Central Division-leading Isotopes in a potential postseason preview. Nashville leads the season series between the clubs by a 7-5 margin but dropped three of their four contests at Isotopes Park in May.
Right-hander Ben Shaffar (0-0, 1.59) makes his first Triple-A start of the year for the Sounds in the 8:11 p.m. CDT Friday opener. He'll face Isotopes right-hander Sean Bergman (8-11, 4.69).
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 28, 2003
- Memphis Redbirds Unveil 2004 Home Schedule - Memphis Redbirds
- Missions finally get to Qualls, Express - Round Rock Express
- Williams Puts Up More Zeros In 5-0 Victory - Nashville Sounds
- Koonce Named River Cats' 2003 MVP - Sacramento River Cats
- DeFrancesco Named PCL's Manager of the Year - Sacramento River Cats
- Final 2003 Rainiers Homestand, Fireworks and Food Drive - Tacoma Rainiers
- Koonce Named PCL's Most Valuable Player - Sacramento River Cats
- Express closing in on attendance record - again - Round Rock Express
- Sox Bats Come Alive in 12-11 Win in Iowa - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Expos purchase LHP Vic Darensbourg, option LHP Eric Knott to Edmonton - Edmonton Trappers
- Graham Koonce Named PCL MVP - PCL1
- RedHawks bidding for .500 or better finish - Oklahoma City Comets
- RedHawks close 2003 season with more giveaways - Oklahoma City Comets
- Gettis does in Express - Round Rock Express
- Never Say Die Trappers Win Fourth Straight - Edmonton Trappers
- Time Running Out on Beavers - Portland Beavers
- River Cats match club record with 90th win - Sacramento River Cats
- No-Hit Bid Ends with Three Sacramento Homers - Tucson Sidewinders
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