PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Zephyrs avoid sweep, defeat Sounds In last at bat

Published on July 7, 2005 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


METAIRIE, La. - Former Sounds outfielder J.J. Davis belted a game-tying homer to key a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning as the New Orleans Zephyrs scored a 3-2, last at-bat victory over the Nashville Sounds on Thursday evening in the finale of a four-game series at Zephyr Field.

With the loss, Nashville (49-39) failed at its attempt to become the Pacific Coast League's first 50-game winner and saw its lead over Memphis in the PCL American Conference Northern Division reduced to 3 ½ games.

Nashville starter Jeff Housman turned in his best outing of the season, allowing only one run on three hits with no walks and three strikeouts in a season-high seven innings, but took a hard-luck no-decision following Davis' ninth-inning heroics.

Trailing 2-1 in the last of the ninth, Davis tied the contest with a leadoff solo homer to left off Nashville reliever Jose Capellan, the first run allowed by the fireballer in 14.0 relief innings. The blast was Davis' 12th of the year. Zephyrs leadoff hitter Brandon Watson followed with a double to right-center and Brendan Harris was intentionally walked before Melo sacrificed both runners up a base. After issuing an intentional walk to Short to load the bases, Capellan hit shortstop J.J. Labandeira with a pitch to force home the winning run.

The Z's late rally gave Nashville, which has posted 17 wins in the final inning this season, a taste of its own medicine. It was the seventh last AB loss for the Sounds.

Chris Barnwell belted his first home run of the year to spot the Sounds a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. His one-out solo shot to left off New Orleans starter Matt White ended Nashville's longest home run drought (142 at-bats).

The Zephyrs quickly tied things the contest with a two-out rally in the bottom of the frame. With two down, Juan Melo doubled to right then scored on Rick Short's RBI single to make it a 1-1 game.

Both offenses remained dormant over the next five innings until Nashville took a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh. Prince Fielder led off the frame with a double to left, his first hit in 10 at-bats since rejoining the Sounds. Nelson Cruz followed with an RBI double to right-center to extend his hitting streak to eight games and give the visitors the lead. Cruz appeared to reach third safely on the play but was ruled out by umpire Jason Kiser, a highly-disputed call that cost Nashville a valuable run when Tony Zuniga produced a fly ball to right that would have scored Cruz.

All-Star outfielder Corey Hart had his career-best 14-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-3 evening that included a walk and three strikeouts.

Zephyrs reliever Bill Bray (1-0) picked up his first victory with a scoreless inning of relief. Capellan (5-3) was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs while retiring only one batter in the decisive ninth.

The Sounds continue their road trip on Friday when they travel to Round Rock, Texas for their first-ever visit to The Dell Diamond, home of the Round Rock Express (AAA-Astros). The franchise joined the PCL in 2005 after moving from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Right-hander Rick Helling (6-3, 4.58) takes the hill for Nashville in the 7:05 p.m. CT series opener on Friday. Round Rock will counter with right-hander Brandon Duckworth (3-2, 4.38).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 7, 2005


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