Spring Training Results (Three Exhibitions Tues., One Wed.)

[Mass Haas]

The Sounds' spring training schedule is available, for those planning visits to Arizona:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1845

[Mass Haas]

Notice for AA, we don't get the location; we'll see if we can confirm, but notice they play the same organizations as AAA Nashville. If I'm not mistaken, it's the opposite location for AA...

 

Huntsville Press Release:

 

Stars Announce Spring Training Schedule

 

Huntsville, AL- The Huntsville Stars have announced their 2006 Spring Training Schedule.

 

The Milwaukee Brewers, Huntsville's Major League affiliate, hosts spring training at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Brewers minor leaguers report to camp during the first week of March.

 

The complete spring training schedule is as follows:

 

March 16 Stars vs. Arkansas Travelers (Angels)

March 17 Stars vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers)

March 18 Stars vs. Connecticut Defenders (Giants)

March 19 Stars vs. San Antonio Missions (Mariners)

March 20 Stars vs. West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs)

March 21 Stars vs. West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs)

March 22 Stars vs. Mobile Bay Bears (Padres)

March 23 Intrasquad game

March 24 Stars vs. Wichita Wranglers (Royals)

March 25 Stars vs. Connecticut Defenders (Giants)

March 26 Stars vs. West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs)

March 27 Stars vs. San Antonio Missions (Mariners)

March 28 Stars vs. Midland RockHounds (Athletics)

March 29 Stars vs. Arkansas Travelers (Angels)

March 30 Intrasquad game

March 31 Stars vs. West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs)

April 1 Stars vs. Connecticut Defenders (Giants)

April 2 Intrasquad game

 

The Stars first game at Joe Davis Stadium will be April 4th against the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers at 6:05pm. The regular season begins April 6th at Mississippi. The home opener for the Stars will be April 11th against the Birmingham Barons. Season tickets and group packages are available by calling the Stars ticket office at 882-2562.

[Mass Haas]

* bump *

 

Games start Thursday -- this from Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times:

 

More than 150 players will be going to work this weekend in the Milwaukee Brewers' minor league complex in the Phoenix suburb of Maryvale, from which the Stars will draw their 2006 roster.

 

Today (Friday) is the official reporting date for the beginning of spring training. Players will undergo physicals Saturday and Sunday, and team officials hope to be holding workouts on Sunday as well.

 

A number of question marks must be answered in camp. Who will be at first base? What about catcher, with two of the '05 catchers now in other organizations?

 

What about the outfield, especially if Tony Gwynn Jr. takes advantage of an injury to David Krynzel and seals a Triple-A job?

 

Along with physicals and workouts, there will be some lecture time for the players, especially in terms of steroids, other banned growth-enhancers and amphetamines.

 

"We've been proactive with all that,'' said assistant farm director Scott Martens. "We had our doctors and EAP (employee assistance program) people going over all that last year. And we'll do it again this year.''

[Mass Haas]

No word on how Nashville's game went today. Now keep in mind that there are only "official" spring training games at the AAA and AA levels, and that several players who will be at low-A or high-A will appear in these games.

 

Huntsville site:

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=762

 

Stars Victorious in Spring Debut

 

Yovani Gallardo tossed three scoreless innings and three different players drove in runs to lead the Stars to a 3-1 win over the Arkansas Travelers in their 2006 spring training debut Thursday afternoon in Maryvale, Arizona. The "Travs" are the double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

 

Gallardo, who went 8-3 with a 2.74 earned run average for West Virginia in the low class-A South Atlantic League last season, allowed two hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter. Josh Wahpepah, 5-6 with a 3.95 earned run mark for the same Power team last season, tossed two scoreless frames in relief and Jesse Harper, who pitched in one game for Huntsville in 2004, retired the side in order on nine pitches in the ninth inning to preserve the win.

 

Alcides Escobar, Jeff Eure and Jimmy Stanfield, who went hitless in four at-bats with one sacrifice fly in the final week of the season last year for the Stars, knocked in the Huntsville runs. Escobar hit .271 for West Virginia last season, while Eure batted .229 with 17 home runs and 66 driven in for Brevard County in 2005.

[Mass Haas]

Drew Olson note from Thursday's AAA game:

 

In a groove: Left-hander Chris Capuano threw in a Class AAA game in minor-league camp and was pleased with the results. He was scheduled to throw four innings or about 60 pitches, but his innings were so smooth that he ended up with five innings and 55 pitches.

 

"That's the first time this spring I felt, like, 'OK, I remember how to do this,' " said Capuano, who faced hitters from the Angels' top affiliate.

 

After winning a team-high 18 games last year, Capuano is adding a cut fastball to his repertoire and the early results have been encouraging.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site, Thursday 3/16 game:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1865

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. - The defending Pacific Coast League champion Nashville Sounds opened their 2006 spring schedule with a 5-2 victory over the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) on Thursday afternoon at the Milwaukee Brewers' spring training complex.

 

The Sounds were led by major-league southpaw Chris Capuano, who won 18 games for the Brewers last season and was getting some extra work by pitching in the game. Capuano tossed five scoreless innings, allowing only three hits. Former Sounds Mike Adams (1.0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER), Brett Evert (2.0 scoreless IP), and Jeff Housman (1.0 IP, 1 ER) worked in relief to close out the contest.

 

On the offensive side, ex-Sound Brad Nelson ripped a pair of doubles and drove in two of the club's five runs during a 2-for-3 afternoon. Other 2005 Sounds to see action included Corey D. Hart (1-for-2), Chris Barnwell (0-for-2), and Dave Krynzel (0-for-2).

 

The Sounds travel to Surprise, Ariz. on Friday to take on the Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA-Rangers) in a rematch of last season's American Conference Finals.

[Mass Haas]

Friday's AA Game Recap (visit the Stars' newly designed site featuring Nelson Cruz on the banner):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=763

 

Stars Claim St. Patty's Day Slugfest

 

Brandon Gemoll and Jeff Eure each hit home runs and knocked in a pair of runs to push Huntsville past the Frisco RoughRiders, the Texas Rangers double-A affiliate, 9-8 Friday afternoon in Surprise, Arizona. The Stars improved to 2-0 in the exhibition season and play again Saturday afternoon against the San Francisco Giants double-A affiliate at home in Maryvale.

 

Travis Ezi, who played in 17 games for the Stars last season and hit .226 in 31 at-bats, paced the 15-hit attack with two singles, a double, a run scored and a run batted in. Gemoll, Adam Heether, Jimmy Stanfield and Ozzie Chavez, who batted .212 in 269 at-bats for the Stars two seasons ago, each collected a pair of hits.

 

Tim Dillard started for Huntsville and allowed one run on four hits over three innings. The right-hander went 12-10 with a 2.48 earned run average in 28 starts at Brevard County last season. Bo Hall chipped in with an inning and two-thirds of scoreless relief.

[Mass Haas]

Friday's AAA Game Recap (link for Corey D. Hart photo):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1866

 

Sounds Take Down RedHawks, 4-3

 

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds recorded a 4-3 victory over the Oklahoma RedHawks on Friday afternoon in a rematch of last season's American Conference finals.

 

Left-hander Wilton Chavez started the contest and picked up the victory after allowing one run on three hits in his two innings of work. Gerrit Simpson (2.0 IP, 1 ER), Rule 5 selection Stephen Bray (2.0 scoreless IP), Andy Pratt (2.0 IP, 1 ER), and Khalid Ballouli (1.0 scoreless IP) finished out the game from the hill.

 

Corey D. Hart went 1-for-2 with a double, RBI, and run scored to lead the Nashville offensive effort. Dave Krynzel made his first start of the spring and turned in a 1-for-3 afternoon. Chris Barnwell chipped in with a sacrifice fly.

 

The 2-0 Sounds continue their spring slate with a Saturday home contest against the PCL rival Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants).

 

Saturday's AAA Game Recap (link for Brad Nelson photo, circa 2005 physique):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1867

 

Sounds Remain Perfect In Spring With 7-6 Win

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. -- The defending PCL champs continued their strong start in exhibition play on Saturday, recording a 7-6 victory over the visiting Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants) to up their spring mark to 3-0.

 

Brad Nelson paced a 10-hit Nashville attack with a 2-for-4 afternoon that included a double, RBI, and two runs scored. Free agent signees C J.C. Boscan (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and RF Ronald Acuna (2-for-2, 2B) also turned in multiple-hit efforts.

 

Left-hander Clayton Andrews made the start for Nashville and allowed two runs on four hits in two innings before turning things over to Alec Zumwalt, who twirled three scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Zumwalt fanned two and allowed only two hits in his outing. Josh Habel (2.0 IP, 4 R, 3 ER) and Joe Winkelsas (2.0 scoreless IP) finished up from the hill for the Sounds.

 

The Sounds will see another familiar foe in their next spring action when they take on the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners) on Sunday afternoon in a rematch of the 2005 Pacific Coast League Championship Series, which Nashville won in a 3-0 sweep to secure its first league title in 23 years.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's AA game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=764

 

Navigators Navigate Past Stars

 

The Norwich Navigators, double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, knocked off the Stars, 10-4, Saturday afternoon in Maryvale, Arizona. Huntsville dropped to 2-1 in spring training action with 12 games still scheduled.

 

Steve Hammond started on the hill for Huntsville and the southpaw was charged with two unearned runs over three innings of work. He allowed one hit, walked one and fanned two. Eric Thomas allowed three runs on four hits and two walks in the fourth inning and Ken Durost was tagged for three runs on three hits and a pair of free passes in 1 2/3 frames of relief work.

 

Steve Moss, projected to be the Huntsville center fielder, knocked in a pair of runs with a double and score once, while first baseman Jeff Eure added three singles and scored a run. Huntsville totaled 10 hits in the loss and has collected 33 in the first three games of exhibition play.

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1868

 

Eveland Leads Perfect Sounds To 5-0 Win

 

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Left-hander Dana Eveland, who will be in the Nashville starting rotation at the start of the 2006 season, tossed four innings of two-hit shutout ball to lead the Sounds to a 5-0, rain-shortened victory over the Tacoma Rainiers on Sunday afternoon. The game was halted in the top of the fifth.

 

Nashville improved to 4-0 in spring action with the victory over their 2005 PCL Championship Series foe.

 

The 22-year-old Eveland split the 2005 campaign between Double-A Huntsville, where he was voted a mid-season Southern League All-Star, and Milwaukee, finishing the year in the Brewers' bullpen.

 

Brad Nelson was one of seven Nashville players to record a hit in the contest, ripping an RBI triple during a 1-for-3 afternoon. Five different Sounds players scored the club's five runs. No player had more than one RBI on the day. Tony Gwynn, Jr. led off and went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base.

 

The Sounds continue their spring slate on Monday afternoon with a home contest against the PCL divisional rival Iowa Cubs, who they'll face in the first of four meetings between the clubs this spring.

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's and Monday's AA Games (link while active, text follows):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=766

 

Stars Blank Jaxx

 

Tim Dillard tossed four shutout frames and five pitchers combined to shutout West Tenn in Huntsville's 6-0 win Monday afternoon in Maryvale, Arizona. The win ended a two-game losing streak and lifted the Stars spring record to 3-2 with a rematch scheduled against the Diamond Jaxx on Tuesday in Mesa.

 

Huntsville fell to the San Antonio Missions, Seattle's double-A affiliate, 2-1, in a game shortened to four and a half innings by rain on Sunday.

 

Dillard, the son of former major league utility infielder Steve Dilard, yielded two hits and struck out one in his second spring appearance. He has now allowed only one run on six hits over seven innings. The right-hander has not walked a batter in his first two outings and has struck out five.

 

Mitch Stetter, who finished last season in triple-A after going 2-3 with 8 saves and a 2.61 earned run average for the Stars, followed with two scoreless frames before Chris Demaria, Gerritt Simpson and Stephen Bray each tossed one scoreless inning to preserve the shutout.

 

Carlos Corporan, a catcher who batted .239 with nine home runs and 38 runs driven in for low class-A West Virginia last season, knocked in a pair of runs to pace the Stars offense. Jeff Eure contributed a pair of doubles, a run batted in and a run scored and Travis Ezi and Steve Sollman also knocked in runs for Huntsville, which collected nine hits.

[Mass Haas]

Monday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1870

 

Sounds Blanked By I-Cubs 9-0 In First Loss

 

MARYVALE, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds suffered their first spring loss on Monday afternoon when they were held to only three hits in a 9-0 defeat at the hands of the division-rival Iowa Cubs.

 

Shortstop Enrique Cruz, outfielder Kennard Bibbs, and catcher C.J. Medlin all singled to provide the only offense for Nashville, which fell to 4-1 in spring action.

 

Sounds hurlers gave up nine runs on 14 hits on the afternoon. Major-leaguer Doug Davis got the start and surrendered four runs (three earned) on six hits over four innings to take the loss. Left-hander Wilton Chavez followed and was tagged for three runs on six hits over his three frames. Southpaw Wil Rodriguez (1.0 IP, 2 R, 1 ER) and right-hander Corey Thurman (1.0 scoreless IP) finished the game from the Nashville hill.

 

The teams meet again on Tuesday afternoon in the second game of a home-and home meeting. Tuesday's contest will take place at the Cubs' spring headquarters in Mesa, Ariz.

[thorn]

The starter in the Sunday AA game was Jesse Harper. He went two scoreless innings striking out two with one hit. He is being limited in pitch count,but so far he has not been scored on. He will pitch again Wed.

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1872

 

Sounds Drop 2nd Straight To I-Cubs

 

MESA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds were shut out by Iowa Cubs pitching for the second straight afternoon on Tuesday, falling 5-0 to their PCL division rivals.

 

Rick Helling, who is in the running for a starting spot on the Brewers this spring, made the start for Nashville and tossed two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Khalid Ballouli hurled three scoreless frames following Helling before Iowa finally broke through against Mike Meyers, who surrendered five runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work and took the loss.

 

The Sounds' offense was held scoreless on seven hits by Cubs pitching. Brad Nelson continued his solid spring with a 2-for-4 effort that included a double. Chris Barnwell went 2-for-2 with a double. Tony Gwynn, Jr. (1-for-3), Brandon Gemoll (1-for-3), and Jean Boscan (1-for-2) contributed the other Nashville hits.

 

Nashville (4-2) continues its spring slate on Wednesday with a road game against the Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres) in Peoria, Ariz.

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's AA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=767

 

Stars Strong Spring Start Continues

 

Josh Habel tossed three scorless innings as a starter and Travis Ezi and Jeff Eure continued their hot hitting, as the Stars downed West Tenn 5-3 in exhibition play Tuesday afternoon in Mesa, Arizona. Huntsville won its' second straight game, both over the Diamond Jaxx, to improve to 4-2 in spring training.

 

Habel, who went 3-7 with a 5.65 earned run average in 21 games for the Stars last season, yielded just one hit in his first Stars' start of the spring. The southpaw struck out one and did not walk a batter. After Ryan Costello allowed three runs on four hits over two frames, three relievers combined to blank the home side the rest of the way. Andy Pratt, who compiled a 2.96 earned run mark in 21 relief appearances for Huntsville in 2005, took over and worked a pair of shutout innings and was followed by Joe Thatcher and Jeremy Lewis, who each tossed a scoreless frame.

 

Ezi singled in three at-bats and has now hit safely in five of six games, while Eure singled twice, scored twice and knocked in a run and has three multiple hit games in his last four contests. Adam Heether and Alcides Escobar each singled, scored and drove in a run in four at-bats. Huntsville hammered out 10 hits in the win, as eight different players picked up at least one safety.

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1873

 

Sounds Beat Beavers With 9th-Inning Rally

 

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to hang a 9-8 defeat on the Portland Beavers on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Brad Nelson led the 14-hit Nashville attack with a 3-for-4 effort. Enrique Cruz (two RBIs) and Kade Johnson (2-for-2) each homered for the Sounds.

 

Jeff Housman made the start and surrendered six runs (four ER) on five hits in two innings of work. Alec Zumwalt and Brett Evert each followed with two scoreless frames apiece before Stephen Bray gave up a pair in his lone inning of work. Chris Demaria was the final Nashville pitcher of the afternoon and tossed two scoreless frames to pick up the win.

 

The Sounds (5-2) will participate in intrasquad action on Thursday afternoon before resuming their spring competition with a home contest against the Omaha Royals (AAA-Royals) on Friday afternoon.

[Mass Haas]

Friday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1875

 

Sounds Fall To Royals, 7-6

 

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Omaha Royals scored three late runs to come from behind and post a 7-6 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Friday afternoon at the Maryvale Baseball Park.

 

Rick Helling made the start for Nashville and allowed one run in three innings of work before left-hander Dana Eveland took over. The young southpaw, projected to open the season in the Sounds' rotation, surrendered six runs (four ER) on five hits over five innings to take the loss. Former Sound Mitch Stetter tossed a scoreless inning to close out the contest.

 

Brandon Gemoll led the offense with a 2-for-4, two-RBI afternoon. Catcher C.J. Medlin tallied a pair of RBIs with a 1-for-3 effort that included a double. Brad Nelson contributed a triple during a 1-for-3 outing. Jermaine Clark (double), Dave Krynzel (double), and Enrique Cruz (single) also posted hits for the Sounds.

 

Nashville (5-3 in spring action) hits the road on Saturday for an afternoon contest against the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants) in Scottsdale.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1876

 

Sounds Drop 2nd Straight, 5-3 To Grizzlies

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds lost their second straight spring contest on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-3 to the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants) at Indian School Park.

 

Wilton Chavez made the start for the Sounds and tossed 3 1/3 scoreless frames before Alec Zumwalt took over and allowed three runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss. Chris Demaria finished the game on the hill and allowed two runs (one ER) in 2 1/3 innings.

 

Offensively, Nashville was out-hit 10-5 in the contest and no Sounds player recorded a multiple-hit effort. Tony Gwynn, Jr., Jean Boscan, and Scott McKnight each drove in a run. Boscan recorded the club's lone extra-base hit with a double.

 

The Sounds (5-4) take on the Iowa Cubs in a home contest on Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park. It will be the teams' third spring meeting; Iowa captured wins with a pair of shutouts last week.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday and Sunday's AA Games (link while active, text follows):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=769

 

Stars Have Successful Weekend

 

The Huntsville Stars continued their winning ways over the weekend, downing the Wichita Wranglers, 8-1, on Friday and defeating Norwich 3-1 on Saturday. The Stars are slated to play the San Antonio Missions, the double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, Monday in Peoria.

 

Tim Dillard spun five shutout innings on Friday, allowing four hits to the Kansas City Royals double-A affiliate. The right-hander has now yielded only one run in 12 spring innings and has not walked a batter. Mike Meyers, who compiled a 1.71 earned run average in 21 frames with Huntsville last season, blanked the visitors over the next two frames before Gerrit Simpson finished up by allowing one run on one hit in two innings.

 

Kennard Bibbs and Kade Johnson each tripled and knocked in two runs to pace the 15-hit attack. Bibbs, Callix Crabbe, Drew Anderson, Jeff Eure and Ozzie Chavez each collected a pair of hits, while Anderson, Eure and Lou Palmisano each scored twice.

 

Corey Thurman, a Texas League All-Star in 2001, tossed three scoreless frames and permitted just one hit in Saturday's contest with the San Francisco Giants double-A affiliate in Scottsdale, Arizona. The right-hander struck out two and walked two and was followed by Khalid Ballouli, who worked two scoreless innings. The former Texas A&M right-hander, who pitched for the Stars last season, gave up three hits and fanned a pair. Bo Hall came on to throw two shutout innings and Andy Pratt finished up, giving up one unearned run on three hits over two frames.

 

Steve Moss knocked in two runs to lead the offense and Guilder Rodriguez chipped in with a run-scoring double and a pair of stolen bases. Bibbs singled, scored twice and also swiped a pair of bases.

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1877

 

Sounds Fall Again To I-Cubs, 4-2

 

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Iowa Cubs continued their spring dominance of the Nashville Sounds on Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, posting a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate. It was Iowa's third win in three spring contests against the Sounds this year.

 

With the loss, the Sounds fell to .500 in spring action with a 5-5 record.

 

Second baseman Rickie Weeks started the contest for the Sounds while getting in some extra at-bats and went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, Nashville's lone RBI on the day. Weeks and Tony Gwynn, Jr. scored the club's two runs in the contest.

 

Brewers closer Derrick Turnbow made the start for Nashville while getting in some extra work away from major-league camp. The fireballer tossed a scoreless inning and was followed by Stephen Bray, who also posted a goose egg in his lone frame of work. Dennis Sarfate (2.0 IP, 1 R), Josh Habel (3.0 IP, 2 R), and Mike Meyers (2.0 IP, 1 R) also pitched in the game.

 

Nashville continues its spring slate on Monday afternoon with a trip to Peoria for a meeting with the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners).

[Mass Haas]

Monday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1878

 

Sounds Drop 4th Straight Spring Contest, 9-3

 

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds' losing streak in spring action reached four games on Monday afternoon, when the club fell 9-3 to the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners) at the Peoria Sports Complex.

 

With the loss, Nashville dropped to 5-6, its first losing record of the spring.

 

Ben Hendrickson made the start for the Sounds and took the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Allan Simpson (1.0 IP, 2 ER) and Brett Evert (1.0 IP, 2 ER) also allowed runs before Mitch Stetter tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth to wrap things up on the hill.

 

Offensively, Jermaine Clark led the way with a 2-for-5 afternoon that included two RBIs. Infielders Enrique Cruz (2-for-4, two doubles, two runs scored) and Chris Barnwell (2-for-4, triple) also added multiple-hit efforts for Nashville. Nelson Cruz drove in the Sounds' third run during a 1-for-3 effort.

 

Nashville returns home to Maryvale Baseball Park on Tuesday to host the Sacramento River Cats (AAA-A's) in the PCL rivals' lone spring meeting.

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1879

 

Sounds Snap Spring Skid, Down Bees 12-10

 

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds picked up their first win in six days on Wednesday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, defeating the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) by a 12-10 count.

 

Brad Nelson led a 13-hit offensive outburst with a 3-for-5 afternoon that included two RBIs and two runs scored. Catcher Mike Rivera and infielders Brent Abernathy and Chris Barnwell each contributed two hits and two RBIs. Every Nashville player except Zach Sorensen (0-for-3) recorded at least one hit in the contest.

 

Five pitchers took the hill for Nashville and no one emerged unscathed. Dana Eveland made the start and allowed two runs in his two innings of work. He was followed by Allan Simpson (2.0 IP, 1 R), Alec Zumwalt (2.0 IP, 2 R), Mike Meyers (2.0 IP, 2 R), and Chris Demaria (1.0 IP, 3 R).

 

The victory improved Nashville's spring mark to 6-7.

 

The Sounds take Thursday off from spring action while participating in intrasquad games. Nashville takes on the division-rival Iowa Cubs on Friday afternoon for the fourth and final time in Arizona.

[Mass Haas]

Friday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1845

 

Sounds Fall To Iowa, 4-3

 

MESA, Ariz. -- The Iowa Cubs defeated the Nashville Sounds for the fourth time in four tries this spring when they claimed a 4-3 victory on Friday afternoon at Fitch Park.

 

Tony Gwynn, Jr. (2-for-4), Mike Rivera (2-for-3, RBI), and Enrique Cruz (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) led the offense with multiple-hit efforts. Chris Barnwell added a triple and scored one of the club's runs, while Zach Sorensen had a double.

 

Right-hander Justin Lehr made the start for the Sounds and allowed one run in his two innings of extra work while away from big-league camp. Dennis Sarfate followed and allowed two runs on five hits over four innings. Jason Kershner (1.0 scoreless IP, 2 K), Mitch Stetter (1.0 IP, 1 R), and Chris Demaria (1.0 scoreless IP, 2 K) finished things off on the hill.

 

The Sounds wrap up spring training competition on Saturday afternoon with a home contest against the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants).

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1882

 

Sounds Drop Spring Finale, 5-3 To Fresno

 

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds closed our their 2006 spring campaign with a 5-3 loss to the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Grizzlies) on Saturday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park.

 

With the defeat, the Sounds' spring record fell to 6-9.

 

Brewers All-Star right-hander Ben Sheets made the start for the Sounds and allowed two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings, striking out one batter during his 27-pitch effort.

 

Ben Hendrickson took over and allowed three runs on four hits in four innings. He walked four batters and struck out none. Allan Simpson (2.0 scoreless IP) and Mike Meyers (1.0 scoreless IP) posted zeroes on the scoreboard the rest of the way for Nashville.

 

Tony Gwynn, Jr. led off and went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base to pace the Sounds offense. It was the club's lone multiple-hit effort of the afternoon. Dave Krynzel went 1-for-3 with a run scored and two steals. Brent Abernathy added the Sounds' second RBI and Enrique Cruz scored the other run.

 

The Sounds engage in an intrasquad game in their final day of spring training on Sunday before breaking camp on Monday and traveling to Nashville for Tuesday evening's 6 p.m. exhibition game against the Belmont Bruins at Greer Stadium. Admission is free for all fans.

[ja002h]

I suppose the typical ST disclaimer applies, but Lil Ben ain't even getting AAA people out.