This past Sunday, one of the Sounds’ relief pitchers, Tim Dillard, did a wonderful impersonation of the late great sportscaster, Harry Caray. When I think of Caray, I think of his catch phrase “HOLY COW!”. Well, after what I have witnessed on this current homestand for the Sounds against the Iowa Cubs and the Albuquerque Isotopes, I would like to borrow the phrase and shout out “HOLY COW!” because of the great comebacks that the Sounds have made on this homestand. Even when they experienced their only loss on this homestand to Iowa on Sunday, I still liked and appreciate the effort that the ballclub made in nearly pulling out that ballgame.
The Sounds have done a great job being “Houdini” since they’ve been able to escape trouble. They were one out away from losing both ballgames last Friday and Saturday nights against the Iowa Cubs until both Third Baseman Adam Heether and First Baseman Joe Koshansky won games with back-to-back walk off home runs. The Sounds also had broken a scoreless deadlock on Memorial Day when they exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth and defeated Iowa, 8-0.
Well, last night in the opener against the Albuquerque Isotopes at Greer Stadium, it was no exception. Veteran Seth Etherton started for the Isotopes and was masterful for seven solid innings and not allowing a single run on the board. However, the Topes’ relievers, lefthander Juan Perez and righthander Scott Dohmann could not seal the deal as the Sounds scored one run in the eighth and four in the ninth and defeated Albuquerque, 5-4 when Norris Hopper beat out an infield hit to second base with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning.
For the Nashville Sounds, getting hot and winning four of five on this homestand could not have come at a better time since the Omaha Royals are among the hottest teams in the Pacific Coast League as of this writing and they have won eight of their last nine as their is a 1 1/2 game difference between the First Place Sounds and Second Place Omaha in the PCL’s American Conference Northern Division.
This is all happening IN SPITE of the many recent rosters moves that have affected the Sounds since a number of players have been called up to the parent club. I feel no resentment at all about this because even though I want to see the Sounds continue to compete and win, it is great for the guys to get called up to the Brewers as they need more help than the Sounds do. Don’t forget that this is what Minor League Baseball is all about. It’s about getting these guys to the majors for not only for them to live out a dream, but to help the parent club as they try to get back into the thick of things regarding the National League’s Central Division.
Kameron Loe was supposed to start last night, but got the callup to Milwaukee instead. He pitched one perfect inning of scoreless baseball and fanned two against the Florida Marlins down in Miami. Kameron had an “out” clause in his contract as he could have been a free agent by June 5th if he was not placed on the parent club’s roster. However, help is much needed for the Brewers and Loe did pitch well enough and was at the right place at the right time when he was called up to the Brewers. I wish Kam nothing but the best for years to come.
Reliever Mike McClendon took Loe’s place instead and even though he did not do a brilliant job, McClendon still pitched creditable enough ball to keep the Sounds in the ballgame before they made their comeback. People must realize it is not easy to accept a last-minute starting pitching assignment, but McClendon has the attitude and professionalism to be ready for everything. He certainly has the potential to pitch in the majors and has been lights out in the Sounds’ bullpen. How long will he be in the rotation remains to be seen, but I know he will do better in his next assignment. He is also a great guy off the field as well.
Tonight, the Sounds will start RHP Mark Rogers, who got called up from AA Huntsville. He was 2-4 with the Stars when Rogers got promoted to Triple-A Nashville. He may make one start here in Nashville and possibly sent back to Huntsville. However, things can change depending how Rogers does tonight and we all wish him the best. Catcher Martin Maldonado was also called up from Huntsville with Ben Johnson being placed on the DL. I wish Johnson a quick return to active duty real soon.
Don’t forget to tune in to 104.5 The Zone for tonight’s broadcast of Game 2 of the Sounds-Isotopes series as it will start at 7:00PM sharp. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you out at Greer Stadium if you can make it out here. Bring your radio if you do since I always enjoy providing people with company.
How will tonight’s game end? Will find out more. Like in the old Batman series from the 1960s, it’s the SAME BAT TIME (7:00PM)…SAME BAT CHANNEL (104.5 The Zone). Well, you ge tthe idea!
- Posted on June 2, 2010 at 1:18 pm
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