Minor League Exhibition Game Recaps

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

Sounds Defeat River Cats In Spring Opener

 

PHOENIX -- The Nashville Sounds opened their 2008 spring training schedule by pounding out 16 hits in an 8-5 victory over Sacramento (AAA-A's) on Saturday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park.

 

The Sounds' attack was led by OF Mel Stocker and INF Adam Heether, who each went 3-for-3 in the win over the River Cats. Stocker's afternoon included the lone Nashville home run in the contest. C Carlos Corporan knocked in two runs with a double and a triple and OF Brendan Katin also drove in a pair of runs.

 

Major League pitchers worked the early innings on the hill for the Sounds. Eric Gagne, Salomon Torres, and Derrick Turnbow each pitched an inning before minor league free agent signee Jason Shiell pitched three innings in relief, allowing one run. Derek Miller allowed two runs over 1 1/3 frames before Robert Hinton closed out the contest with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

 

The Sounds (1-0) continue their spring slate on Sunday with a road game against the Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres).

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds and Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres) battled to a 1-1 tie on Sunday afternoon at Peoria Sports Complex.

 

National League Cy Young winner Jake Peavy pitched the first five innings against the Sounds and held them to a run on two hits while getting in some extra work for San Diego's minor league club.

 

The Sounds staff, however, was equal to the task, allowing only one unearned run in the contest. Chris Spurling made the start and surrendered the one unearned run on two hits in his two frames of action. Nick Ungs (2.0 IP), Jeff Housman (1.0 IP), Joe Bateman (2.0 IP), and Thomas Atlee (2.0 IP) finished up with seven scoreless frames from the hill.

 

Outfielder Brendan Katin plated Nashville's lone run on the afternoon, driving home Brad Nelson with an RBI double. Nelson and Russell Branyan each singled for the Sounds' only other hits in the contest.

 

Nashville (1-0-1) continues its spring slate on Monday afternoon in Tempe with a road contest against the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels).

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Nashville Sounds and Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) battled to a 3-3 tie on Monday afternoon at Tempe Sports Complex, Nashville's second consecutive tie in spring training action.

 

The Sounds held a late lead, but the Bees scored runs in the eighth and ninth against Nashville reliever Tim Dillard to even up the score.

 

At the plate, Brad Nelson drove in two of the three Nashville runs on the afternoon. Russell Branyan went 2-for-4 with a double and SS Yohannis Perez added three hits in three at-bats to lead the offense.

 

Left-hander Zach Jackson made the start for the Sounds and allowed one run on four hits in 4 2/3 innings but walked five batters during his 77-pitch outing. Lindsay Gulin followed with 2 1/3 frames of scoreless relief before turning things over to Dillard, who was touched for two runs (one ER) on two hits in his two innings while walking three and striking out three.

 

Nashville (1-0-2) returns home to Maryvale Baseball Park on Tuesday to take on the division-rival Iowa Cubs in an afternoon contest.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

 

PHOENIX - The Nashville Sounds suffered their first spring training loss on Tuesday afternoon, falling 7-2 to the division-rival Iowa Cubs at Maryvale Baseball Park.

 

OF Mel Stocker had two hits to lead the Sounds and drove in one of the club's two runs on the day. C J.R. Hopf drove in the other.

 

Major Leaguer Claudio Vargas started for Nashville and went 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on six hits. Jason Shiell followed and gave up four runs in his 2 1/3 frames of action. Erasmo Ramirez (1.2 IP, 1 R) and Luis Pena (1.0 scoreless IP) finished up on the mound for the Sounds.

 

Nashville (1-1-2) continues its spring slate on Wednesday by welcoming the Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres) to Maryvale Baseball Park for an afternoon contest.

[DrWood]

does this mean that katin WILL be at Nashville?

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site This Time (AA Level Game):

Keep in mind players will not necessarily be assigned to the level they're playing at in spring training -- first report at this level, no updates on the prior three games...

Sam Narron tossed three scoreless innings in his first start and Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee's number one pick in the 2007 draft, delivered two sacrifice flies to push the Stars past the Tennessee Smokies 3-1 Tuesday in Maryvale, AZ. The Stars improved to 2-2 in spring training action and face the San Antonio Missions, the double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon at home.

 

Ned Yost, the son of the Brewers manager, had three hits, while Michael Brantley and Chuckie Caufield each singled and scored. Narron, who went 7-9 for the Stars last season, gave up two hits and struck out a pair before giving way to Joe Bateman, who pitched last year for the Connecticut Defenders, the double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Bateman fanned four in his two scoreless innings and was followed by Patrick Ryan, who worked two shutout innings. Ryan was promoted to the Stars for the Southern League Championship series after spending the regular season at high class-A Brevard County in the Florida State League.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

 

PHOENIX -- The Nashville Sounds tied the Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres), 5-5, on Wednesday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, the clubs' second tie in two meetings this spring.

 

Both teams banged out 11 hits in the contest. INF Guilder Rodriguez led the Sounds' attack with a four-hit day. Hernan Iribarren added two hits and two RBIs and Brendan Katin ripped a double as part of his 2-for-3 afternoon.

 

Chris Spurling made the start for Nashville and allowed two runs on three hits in three innings of work. Nic Ungs (3.0 scoreless IP), Jeff Housman (1.0 scoreless IP), David Johnson (1.0 IP, 2 R), and E.J. Shanks (1.0 IP, 1 R) also appeared on the hill for the Sounds.

 

Nashville (1-1-3) continues its spring slate on Thursday with a trip to Surprise, Ariz., where they'll take on the PCL division-rival Omaha Royals (AAA-Royals).

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site:

Steve Hammond tossed three solid innings in his first spring start and Chris Errecart clubbed a three-run home run in the Stars 8-6 win over San Antonio Wednesday in Maryvale, AZ. The Stars improved their spring training mark to 3-2 and will take on the Wichita Wranglers, the double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, Thursday in Surprise, AZ.

 

Hammond, who went 7-9 for Huntsville last season, allowed a run on two hits and fanned six in his second spring appearance. The left-hander has won a dozen times in a Stars uniform during the 2006-07 seasons.

 

Second baseman Mike Bell and outfielder Chuckie Caufield each collected a pair of hits and knocked in a run, while Matt LaPorta doubled and scored twice. Errecart's long ball was the Stars fourth of the spring and their first in three games.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds were defeated by Omaha (AAA-Royals), 9-7, on Thursday afternoon in a spring training contest at Surprise Stadium.

 

Russell Branyan had a nice day at the plate for the Sounds, going 2-for-3 with a home run, double, and a walk. Adam Heether added a home run for Nashville as part of a 2-for-4 afternoon. Mel Stocker also enjoyed a two-hit day and legged out a triple.

 

On the hill, Mark DiFelice made the start and worked a scoreless inning. Lindsay Gulin followed and surrendered six runs on seven hits in two frames of action to take the loss. Brett Campbell (1.1 IP, 2 R), Tim Dillard (2.0 IP, 1 R), Robert Hinton (1.0 scoreless IP), and Luis Pena (1.0 scoreless IP) also worked for Nashville.

 

The Sounds (1-2-3) take a day off from spring training action on Friday, when they'll participate in intrasquad workouts at Maryvale Baseball Park. Nashville hosts the Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA-Rangers) on Saturday in Maryvale.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

PHOENIX -- The Nashville Sounds came up on the short end of an 11-6 loss to the PCL rival Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA-Rangers) on Saturday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park.

 

Left-hander Zach Jackson made the start for Nashville and took the loss after allowing six runs (three ER) on 10 hits over his 4 2/3 innings of work. Joe Bateman (2.0 IP, 1 R), Thomas Atlee (0.2 IP, 2 R), and Robert Hinton (0.2 IP, 2 R) also pitched for the Sounds in the contest.

 

Vinny Rottino, making his first minor league appearance of the spring after being optioned to Nashville by the Brewers, paced the Sounds offense with a 2-for-4 afternoon that included a home run and two RBIs. Brendan Katin also homered and scored two runs for Nashville. Steve Moss (2-for-3) added the club's only other multiple-hit effort of the day.

 

Nashville (1-3-3) travels to Peoria Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon for a road meeting with the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners).

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site:

Ryan Crew collected three hits and drove in five runs to carry the Stars past the Frisco RoughRiders, the double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, 9-2 Saturday in Maryvale, AZ. Huntsville improved its' spring record to 5-2 with a fourth straight victory.

 

Crew missed hitting for the cycle by a double, while Michael Brantley totaled four hits, scored four times and knocked in a run to help pace a 14-hit attack. Mike Bell added two hits, including a double, as the Stars piled up seven extra base hits. Derek Miller tossed 3 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds defeated the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners), 6-3, on Sunday afternoon at Peoria Sports Complex in spring training action.

 

Right-hander Mark DiFelice made the start for Nashville and allowed one run on two hits in his one inning of work. Jason Shiell followed by allowing two runs over four frames before David Johnson (2.0 IP), Erasmo Ramirez (1.0 IP), and Luis Pena (1.0 IP) combined for four innings of scoreless relief to close out the contest.

 

At the plate, Mel Stocker collected three hits, including a triple, in five at-bats and drove in three runs to pace the Sounds' offense. Hernan Iribarren went 2-for-3 with a triple and a team-best three runs scored in the winning effort.

 

Nashville (2-3-3) hosts the Sacramento River Cats (AAA-A's) on Monday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park for the clubs' second meeting of the spring.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

 

PHOENIX -- The Nashville Sounds dropped a 2-1 decision to the Sacramento River Cats (AAA-A's) on Monday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park in the teams' second of three spring meetings.

 

In his first minor league game of the spring, outfielder Laynce Nix -- who led Nashville with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs last season -- had two hits in three at-bats, including a double and a triple, and scored the Sounds' lone run. Catcher Vinny Rottino plated Nix for the club's only RBI. 2B Steve Sollmann went 2-for-3 to join Nix as the only Sounds with multi-hit efforts.

 

A pair of big-leaguers started things out on the hill for Nashville while getting in some extra work. Brian Shouse worked a scoreless frame and David Riske tossed 18 pitches in the second before turning things over to Nic Ungs, who threw 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing only one run. Tim Dillard allowed the go-ahead run in his two frames of action before Mitch Stetter closed things out with a scoreless inning of relief.

 

Nashville (2-4-3) hosts the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) at Maryvale Baseball Park on Tuesday afternoon.

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site:

 

Mat Gamel slugged a two-run home run and drove in three runs, as the Stars played to an 8-8 tie with the Midland RockHounds, the double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, Monday in Maryvale, AZ. Huntsville now has a spring record of five wins, two losses and a pair of ties.

 

Yohannis Perez added two hits, including a triple, and knocked in two runs, while catcher Angel Salome singled and doubled and drove in a run. The Stars collected 11 hits, four of which were for extra bases.

 

Steve Hammond made his second spring start and allowed two runs on five hits over four innings and 68 pitches. He struck out two and walked three and was followed by veteran Melqui Torres, who gave up two runs on two hits and three walks over an inning and two-thirds.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

 

PHOENIX -- The Nashville Sounds defeated the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) by the score of 5-2 on Tuesday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park.

 

For the second straight day, Major League pitchers worked the early innings from the Nashville mound. Yovani Gallardo started for the Sounds and threw 3.0 scoreless innings. Eric Gagne followed and allowed a run in his lone inning of work. Left-hander Lindsay Gulin followed and allowed one run over four frames before Luis Pena closed out the game with a scoreless inning, striking out two of his three batters faced.

 

Russell Branyan had an RBI double for Nashville and Hernan Iribarren added a hit and two RBIs to the offensive effort. Brian Munhall drove in a pair of runs as well.

 

Nashville (3-4-3) travel to Papago Park on Wednesday for their third and final spring meeting with the Sacramento River Cats (AAA-A's).

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site:

 

PHOENIX -- The Nashville Sounds won their game against the Sacramento River Cats (AAA-A's) by a 10-4 margin on Wednesday afternoon at Papago Park.

 

OF Laynce Nix drove in three runs on three hits, including a double, and Vinny Rottino blasted a home run and collected hits in all three of his at-bats. Brad Nelson, Russell Branyan, and Mel Stocker all posted two knocks apiece during the Sounds' 16-hit attack.

 

On the hill, Robert Hinton started for Nashville and struck out three batters in three scoreless frames. David Johnson followed and allowed three runs on seven hits over his 2 2/3 innings. Erasmo Ramirez allowed a run in two innings before Mitch Stetter closed out the contest with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of work.

 

The Sounds (4-4-3) participate in intrasquad games on Thursday before resuming their spring slate by hosting the Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres) at Maryvale Baseball Park on Friday afternoon.