Two Battles..one team batting another..an announcer battling an illness!

After our frustrating series with Albuquerque ended, the Sounds headed back to Nashville early Monday Morning on Monday, June 13th to open a four-game set against the Texas Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express. This was a series that I couldn't wait for the start of since the Sounds got swept by the Express at the Dell Diamond just a month earlier when they had their infamous 0-8 road trip. Part of me couldn't wait to return home because I was at the beginning stages of battling a bronchial condition, which made my voice very hoarse. As a sportscaster, I can deal with illness if it occurs during the off-season when I don't cover as many events as I do in baseball and I have more free time. However, during the baseball season, it can be a very tough and unpleasant experience, especially when I have to rely on my voice to make my living. After I ate something in the Albuquerque Press Box the previous Sunday, I felt my throat give out a bit and when I went on the air, I sounded horrible. I was a bit embarrassed, but I couldn't do anything about it. The old saying: The Show must go on!. Of course, I was determined to still not disappoint anybody plus the fact that I am a one-man crew. I was inflicted with this hoarseness for nearly a week. I did start to take Mucinex and other medications to relieve my condition. I started feeling better, but my voice was still not 100 percent. There wasn't much that I can do otherwise, except to deal with it the best way I can as long as I felt strong enough to have enough of a voice to keep on going. I've come to learn to "play with the hurts" as athletes say when they play when they are not 100 percent.

I recall a story from my friend, the late great Merle Harmon, who was a sportscaster for almost 50 years when he started broadcasting back in 1949 when he was the Radio Voice of the Class C Topeka Owls and he made his debut by broadcasting a doubleheader, which was an oddity then and an oddity now. It could not have been a more challenging experience for Merle. The temperature hovered around 103 degrees. One game of the doubleheader went 14 innings and the other game was something like 14-13. There were many passed balls, wild pitches and errors to boot as well. Not only that, Merle admitted that he was announcing the twinbill with a terrible headache! Merle felt obligated when he apologized to his audience for not going out 100 percent that day! He mentioned on the air, "You know what it's like to have a splitting headache!". Merle felt proud that he did his duty in telling his audience--UNTIL he got a postcard a few days later. It was from a female fan who tuned in to the broadcast. Merle was crushed when he read the postcard with the following message: "We enjoyed the broadcast that you did the other day UNTIL you mentioned the headache! Please don't tell us your troubles-just broadcast the game!". Eventually, Harmon got the message as he realized that people were depending on him to entertain and inform and more importantly, keep people from thinking about their own problems. He thought that someone might have been either sick in bed or in the hospital and then understood that people had worse experiences than he and that he shouldn't complain about his own problems. Put people ahead of yourself. That is something that stays with me to this very day. I never uttered about my condition on the air because NO one needed to hear about my dilemma. I had a job to do and a broadcast to do and I was determined to do it no matter what the situation was for me! People were looking up to me and I had a responsibility.

The Sounds won a squeaker in the opener on June 13th when they nipped Round Rock, 7-6. The Sounds led 7-2, but had to sweat it out since the Express' offense continued to persevere. They scored three runs in the 5th inning off Josh Butler, the eventual winner and scored another run in the 6th on a lead-off home run by another Butler, Joey Butler. Sounds' Reliever Sean Green closed out the game with 2 superb innings of relief as he retired all six batters that he faced and fanned 4 of them. It was a badly needed victory after the Sounds had blown a 14-9 lead only to lose 16-14 to the Isotopes in Albuquerque the day before. Going back to the game, the Sounds' home run barrage continued as Brandon Boggs lead off the first inning with a home run and Mat Gamel belted 2 homers in the game, including a 2-run shot in the 3rd inning. It would be the 2nd time this year that the Brewers' top prospect would have a 2-homer game against Round Rock!

The next night, Gamel's hot hitting would continue as he collected three hits and drove in what appeared at the time was a big run-and it was as the Sounds increased their lead to 4-2 going into the 9th inning. Unfortunately, Sounds Lefty Reliever Daniel Herrera could not hang onto the lead. After a scoreless 8th and not allow a run at all since joining the Sounds/Brewers in May, Herrera proceeded to give up a game-tying pinch hit 2 run homer to Matt Kata. It was the first 2 runs that Herrera had allowed since joining the Brewers organization after he was picked up on waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The Sounds would bail him out in the bottom of the 10th as Taylor Green doubled with one out and after Brandon Boggs was intentionally walked by the Express' flame thrower, right hand reliever Pedro Strop, Sounds Second Baseman Eric Farris came through with an RBI single to drive in Taylor Green with the winning run. Green had almost held up at third, but when Express' right fielder Joey Butler bobbled Farris' batted ball, Green would eventually score the winning run as the Sounds won their first extra-inning game of the season by defeating Round Rock, 5-4 in 10 innings. The Sounds appeared as if they are getting revenge from Round Rock after the Express swept the Sounds during their first trip to Texas in early May.

The next night, though, the Sounds would fall short of their sweep attempt as they lost the 3rd game of the series to the Express, 4-3. The Sounds did grab the lead, 2-1 in the 6th inning against former Brewer and current Round Rock Pitcher, Seth "Big Red" McClung, who did not allow a run in the game until giving up a 2-run single to Sounds Catcher Mike Rivera in the inning. Round Rock would respond with two runs against Sounds Starter Sam Narron, after the first 2 Express Batters were retired in the inning. Express 3rd Baseman Brian Barden homered over the right field fence to tie the game at 2-2 and then Joey Butler doubled and scored when former Sound Luis Cruz would single to left field to give the Express a 3-2 lead. It would stay that way until the 8th inning when Sounds Center Fielder Brett Carroll would tie it with a homer just inside the right field foul pole. It was Carroll's 8th homer of the year and suddenly the score was 3-3. The Sounds had a golden opportunity to win it in the 9th inning. Taylor Green lead off with a double to right and Jordan Brown then sacrificed Green to third. Round Rock Manager Bobby Jones then summoned reliever Cody Eppley into the game to face Sounds 3rd Baseman Zelous Wheeler, but unfortunately, the young Alabama native struck out and after Brandon Boggs was intentionally walked, Sounds Second Baseman Eric Farris struck out and two runners were left stranded. Round Rock would win it in the 10th inning as the usually reliable reliever Sean Green would come into the pitch in the game. Unfortunately, it was not Green's night as Julio Borbon reached on a bunt single with one out. After Brett Kata walked, Rangers' Top Prospect Chris Davis sinlged home Borbon from 3rd to give the Express the lead for good. It was also a tough night for Davis, who had gone hitless in his first four at-bats and had fanned 3 times. But not so in the 10th inning and collected his 32nd RBI of the year. Brett Carroll lead off the bottom of the inning with a walk, but Eppley retired the next 3 batters, including 2 on strikeouts to get the inning. It was a frustrating loss for the Sounds who played and won 2 tough games against the Express at the start of the series.

For the Sounds the next night, it would be a great comeback as Amaury Rivas hurled seven scoreless innings and walking just two and fanning 8 as the Sounds won the ballgame, 1-0. It was a great bounceback for Rivas who walked six batters in 4.1 innings in his previous start against the Isotopes in Albuquerque as the Sounds lost that game 5-2. At one stretch, Rivas retired 9 in a row and had everything working. Scott Feldman, the Express starter who had spent time in the past with the Rangers, would exchange goose eggs as well. Derek Hankins relieveed in the 6th and had a scoreless 1-2-3 inning. However, the next inning, Brett Carroll would pretty much decide things when he homered over the left field wall for his 9th homer of the year and the Sounds won the game. It was the ONLY hit the Sounds had all night, but this one was the decisive one and pretty much decided things as Sounds Relievers Donovan Hand and Zack Segovia each hurled one scoreless inning in relief. It was also Segovia's first save of the year. Prior to the game, I spoke with Carroll and like myself, he was under the weather. He felt flu-like with a terrible headache. I told him that if one is sick, they usually relax more since they are so pre-occupied with their illness. Anyway, he came through with his screaming line drive over the left field wall to clinch the Sounds' win.

The Sounds took 3 of 4 from Round Rock and sort of gain revenged against the Express, albeit the Sounds didn't sweep them. It gave the Sounds hope and promise going into their next series with the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. It was going to be a vital series since the Sounds would begin to play a stretch of 9 straight games against teams in their own division: first the Redbirds and then second with the Omaha Storm Chasers at home. It gave the Sounds a chance to think and to reflect and it gave them some much needed confidence. There were more than 6,200 fans for the 1-0 win since it was Taco Bell Throwback Night with Fans enjoying reduced prices of concession items at the ballpark and the Sounds wearing their 1980's style retro jerseys. This is a promotion the Sounds have every Thursday night and we encourage you to come out. The next blog will involve the important games against the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park and then back home against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Greer Stadium! Can the Sounds continue the momentum? You'll find out more on the next blog. Until then, thank you for checking in as always!

Big Easy was easy in New Orleans while there was smoke, there's fire--In Albuquerque

The baseball season continues to have its share of nooks and crannies and the last road trip to New Orleans and Albuquerque was no exception. If you read the title, it was true on both counts. Although there was no fire in Albuquerque, there was the smoke from the neighboring state of Arizona where the wildfires were taking place. That was not the only smoke that was taking place. There was smoke coming off the flaming hot bats of the Nashville Sounds.

It was a road trip for the ages. There were at least three players who had two homer games. On five different occasions, the Sounds scored six runs or more in one inning. They also had two four-homer games. No question that this was not a boring road trip by any means.

For the Sounds' first leg of their road trip, it was their final trip to New Orleans this season. Whew, it was great to great away from the combined heat and humidity and not to mention those annoying cicadas that flew around Nashville during the last homestand. The previous homestand ended on a positive note with the Sounds not only winning their last 2 home games against the Iowa Cubs, but for the first time in my life, I witnessed a triple play-LIVE! Not only as a fan, but as a broadcaster. It was in the 7th inning and the Sounds were winning when the I-Cubs had two on and nobody out. Scott Moore was the batter and he proceeded to hit a sinking line drive which Sounds' Shortstop Edwin Maysonet grabbed! He was so close to the bag at second that I sensed something special would happen. I was right. The base runner at second base, Bryan LaHair was way off the bag at second and Maysonet proceeded to step on the bag there to double off LaHair. Then I'm thinking that the rarity would happen. A TRIPLE PLAY! Maysonet threw onto first and the base runner there, Ty Wright, could not get back to the first base bag in time, so it was a 6-3 Triple Play! The crowd, needless to say, went nuts! The triple-killing occurred in the seventh inning on Friday, June 2nd at Greer Stadium as the Sounds gained a split in their 4-game set by winning over Iowa, 5-1.

Then it was on to New Orleans and Sounds' veteran left hander, Sam Narron took the mound and continued to pitch well. He hurled 5.2 scoreless innings as Nashville won the opener, 6-1. Narron didn't disappoint with the bat as he collected a single and a double in the game. It was also great to see Erick Almonte do what he always does well. Erick came off the bench and delivered a big two-run double in the 8th inning to ensure the Sounds' victory over the Zephyrs at Zephyr Field.

The second game of the series was a relief for Amaury Rivas. It seems like whenever he pitches against the Zephyrs, he owns them. On that night, Rivas won for the first time since April 22nd and at, of all places, New Orleans. Rivas had his command despite giving up a run in the first inning. At one stretch, Rivas had retired 8 in a row, despite throwing a season high 110 pitches. He got huge help in the first inning when Taylor Green hit a tremendous grand slam home run over the right field wall. No one in the Zephyrs outfield had to move as the ball left the park as it soon it left Green's bat. It was the first grand slam for the Sounds this year as they scored six of their runs in the first inning and won it, 7-1.

Monday, June 6th was one game for the ages as the Sounds pounded out 18 hits and scored a season high 19 runs in their 19-1 win over the Zephyrs. It was a big night for Catcher George Kottaras, as he joined the elite group of 2011 Sounds players by belting two home runs in that game. Third Baseman Zelous Wheeler got into the act with a 3 run homer of his own. It was great to see Wheeler back in action as he missed two months of the season due to a leg injury. Erick Almonte had a career high seven runs batted in, which included a 2-run single, a 3-run homer and a two run double. It was also a night to remember as Sounds' starter Frankie De La Cruz FINALLY picked up his first win, but pitched as if he didn't need all of those runs. In fact, he didn't. De La Cruz hurled seven scoreless innings and got relief help from Chase Wright and Sean Green as each threw one inning to seal the deal. The win was also the Sounds' fifth in a row, as they had their longest streak of the year.

The Sounds were hoping to get their first sweep of the year and yes, I was kind of getting real greedy with the team building up such momentum, but unfortunately, the Sounds couldn't pull it off. Josh Butler started and he had his ups and downs. With the score tied at 3-3 in the 5th inning, Butler proceeded to walk the first three batters and it has been the walks that have been the Sounds' occasional downfall this year. Two of the Zephyr players who walked, would eventually score and gave New Orleans a 5-3 lead. Taylor Green would hit his 2nd homer of the series in the 8th inning, a solo shot over the right field wall. It would turn out to be the Sounds' final run of the season as they came up short, 5-4 in the finale. Oh well. At least three out of four wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was great.

The Sounds would have the evening off since it was a day game and they wouldn't have to fly to Albuquerque until the next day and that was an off-day. As much as I would have liked to travel the night before, I still couldn't complain. We flew to Albuquerque the next morning and knowing we would have a day off. It was also nice to meet up with an old friend of mine, whom I have not seen since my high days growing up in Brooklyn, New York City. My friend has lived in the Albuquerque area for almost 20 years and did mention to me about the smoke that was coming to New Mexico because of winds blowing it toward his state. It just so happens that a wildire was taking place in Arizona and he warned me about it. Luckily, the skies were clear the following day, so we made it to Albuquerque without any problems. On Thursday night, we would start a 4-game set against the Albuquerque Isotopes. I was enjoying a nice dinner with my friend on Wednesday night when we notice the smoke coming in. You could not see the mountains. In fact, when our bus driver picked us up at the airport on that Wednesday, June 8th, he mentioned to us that the conditions were much worse a few days earlier. However, that night, at 8PM in the evening, you couldn't see the mountains like you normally do and the smoke was bad! Not enough to choke me, but bad enough. I even smelled it in the hallway of our hotel that I decided and had to put a towel at the crack of my door and that seemed to work as the smoke STAYED OUT! I had no trouble sleeping that night because of my idea of covering the crack. The smoke did not seep in, but the smell of it did!

Anyway, there was more smoke, like I said, the next night and it came from the Sounds' bats. They won their 2nd lopsided game of the road trip, 14-1 over the Albuquerque Isotopes. The Sounds tied a season-high record with 20 hits and Caleb Gindl joined in the two homer in one game act with a two run shot in the first inning and three run shot in the third. Both blasts went over the left center field wall. Gindl told me that he never hit 2 homers in one game in his life prior to that particular night. George Kottaras had his third homer of the road trip in the first inning. Mark DiFelice made his 2nd start of the year and he showed WHY he earned his spot in the rotation. DiFelice threw five scoreless innings and allowed four hits while walking just one and fanning five. If he keeps it up, he will definitely earn another shot at the big leagues! I was praying for a shutout, but it was not to be as Albuquerque Outfielder and Dodgers' prospect, Trayvon Robinson extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single with two outs in the 9th, but the Sounds still won it and they had a 4-1 start to the road trip.

Unfortunately, that opening win would turn out to be the last win for the Sounds on their road trip as they proceeded to drop the next three games. The following night was tough because the Sounds trailed, 6-3 in the 7th inning when they tied it with 3 runs in the inning and that included a two-run homer by Sounds' First Baseman and Brewers' Top Prospect, Mat Gamel. Sean Green came on in the 10th inning and--you guessed it--Trayvon Robinson won the game with a walk-off homer. The round-tripper would extend his hitting streak to 12 games! The guy is a machine! Amaury Rivas pitched in Game 3 and started off well by pitching quality ball in the first two innings. However, he proceeded to walk six batters over the next 3 innings as the Isotopes prevailed, 5-2. Trayvon Robinson, who was really starting to become the Sounds' main nemesis, walked in a run to give the 'Topes a 3-2 lead and then he added insurance with a two-run double in the 7th inning off the usually effective and reliable Mike McClendon, who just didn't have it that night and everyone has those nights. In fact, McClendon was caught up in a numbers game at the big league level when Zach Braddock was activated on the Brewers' big league roster and since McClendon hadn't pitched much for the big club in recent days, was the odd man out. As always, McClendon showed the grace, positive attitude and professionalism that has made him a class individual and not to mention, he has the talent to pitch in the majors for years to come! McClendon is always willing to adapt to the situation and that's why he is an outstanding professional! Mat Gamel continued to show why he is on the Brewers' radar as he belted a home run in the 9th inning, but it wasn't enough as the Sounds lost, 5-2. The game was pushed up to 4:35PM Mountain Time because of the report that more smoke would come in from Arizona that night. Later that night, it wasn't the case, but I don't blame the Isotopes' management for making the decision. It showed how responsible and professional they are because they wanted to be on the safe side. You can't blame them for that. The Isotopes wanted to ensure the health and safety of the players as well as the fans and everyone else who was at Isotopes Park that night. They still had a great crowd and also had a nice fireworks show, even though it was not completely dark.

The final game was on Sunday, June 12th and it was ONE FOR THE AGES. The Sounds lost a wild one, 16-14, but were up 14-9 in the seventh. However, the bullpen could not hang on to the lead as the Isotopes scored 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie it at 14-14 and then they scored twice in the following inning to take the lead for good! The Sounds had the lead at least 3 times, but they were not able to hang on to the lead.

The Sounds had their 2nd 4-home run game of the year and Taylor Green had his 2nd two-homer game of the year. His 2 run shot in the 7th game the Sounds a 14-9 lead. The inning was also highlighted by Erick Almonte's pinch hit home run leading off the inning and giving Nashville a 10-9 lead. It was a tremendous blast as it cleared the bullpen and left field bleachers. Edwin Maysonet also had a bunt single that also knocked in a run in the inning. Caleb Gindl would extend his hitting streak to 12 games with a home run in the third inning. It was preceded by Taylor Green's first homer of the game. In the bottom of the 7th, disaster struck as the Isotopes scored five times with two outs to tie the game at 14-14. Albuquerque took the lead for good in the 8th inning when Jerry Sands doubled home Eugenio Velez and Sands scored when Russ Mitchell collected his fifth RBI of the game with a base hit to left. It was also a big day for Trayvon Robinson again, as he went 4 for 5 with four runs batted in.

The loss was a disappointed end to what started out as a promising road trip as the Sounds finished up their journey at 4-4. It was a memorable road trip as the Sounds still managed to pound out 15 home runs. Then they would head home to take on the Round Rock Express at Greer Stadium on Monday, July 13th. I will have another blog coming up on the series with the Round Rock Express. Until then, I bid farewell. I hope you come on out to support the Sounds when they play Round Rock as they look to gain revenge after being swept by them in Round Rock earlier this year. As always, thank you for reading!

Getting back on track against Iowa

After the Nashville Sounds took 3 out of 4 from the Oklahoma City RedHawks at the friendly confines at Greer Stadium, the homestand continued with the American North Division Arch Rival Iowa Cubs who came into town in 2nd place in the division.





The first couple of games did not fare well as the Sounds dropped both of those games. The Cubs had Casey Coleman, who was just demoted from the parent club, the Chicago Cubs. During his start in the opener, Coleman showed why he made it to the major leagues in the first place. He had a dazzling curveball that night as he struck out the first 2 batters. He also held the Sounds to just two hits through the first five innings. The Sounds finally got to Coleman for a couple of runs in the 6th inning, but in the top of the inning, Sounds' right hander Amaury Rivas coughed up four runs in the top of the inning as Iowa increased their lead to 6-0. Mat Gamel tripled in one run and Edwin Maysonet singled in another run. Coleman picked up the win in the game while Rivas took the loss as he gave up 6 earned runs in 5.1 innings. He had not won a game since he defeated New Orleans on April 22nd at Zephyrs Field. The loss was the Sounds' 2nd in a row.





Game 2 was more competitive, but it was too little, too late as the Sounds lost a tough game to the I-Cubs, 7-5. Frankie De La Cruz started for the Sounds, but got himself into a deep hole very early as he gave up a 3 run homer to Scott Moore in the 1st inning and the Sounds were trailing, 3-0 and then Marquez Smith hit a tremendous home run over the left field wall as the Cubs increased their lead to 4-0. Single runs scored in the 4th and 5th by the Cubs made it a 6-0 lead after five innings. Bobby Scales got into the power act with a home run just inside the right field foul pole. The Sounds didn't get on the board until the 7th inning when first baseman Mat Gamel lead off with a double to right center and then scored on an RBI single by Catcher Mike Rivera. In the 9th inning, the Sounds made things interesting when both Rivera and Third Baseman Taylor Green hit two-run homers to cut the I-Cubs' lead to 7-5. Unfortunately, that would turn out to be the final score as the Sounds came up short and dropped their third straight!

Game 3 of the series between the Sounds & the Iowa Cubs didn't start off so nicely for the Sounds since they fell behind 8-2 early in the game. Josh Butler started for Nashville and after escaping a shaky first inning, the roof collapsed on him when I-Cubs Catcher Wellington Castillo lead off with a home run over the left center field wall and then later on, Butler walked two straight batters and Fernando Perez took advantage of the offensive opportunity when he doubled to right field and the Cubs lead 3-0. Iowa scored five more runs in the 3rd highlighted by a two run double by Bobby Scales.

Later on the Sounds would be trailing 10-6 going into the bottom of the 5th inning when the Nashville came back with five runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to take the lead for good. Brett Carroll lead off the inning with a bunt single and then Mat Gamel homered over the right center field wall for his 9th homer of the year. Later on in the inning after the Sounds tied it up at 10-10, Edwin Maysonet put the Sounds on top for good with a looping single to right center that scored Brandon Boggs, who was a pinch batter early on in the inning and reached base with a walk. The Sounds would score 3 more runs in the 6th inning and one insurance run in the 7th when Carroll lead off with a home run over the left field wall. Carroll would go on to have a four for four night with 3 singles and the home run. The Sounds won it 15-11 and pounded out a season high 22 hits in that game.

On Friday, June 3rd, the Sounds wrapped up their homestand with a unique moment. Sounds' right hander, Mark DiFelice got the nod to make his first start of the year since Pitching Coach Rich Gale had mentioned to me in the interview that the Brewers want to see DiFelice get involved in a multi-inning outing. Milwaukee had a desire to see DiFelice increase his innings and as usual, Mark did not disappoint. Although he is now 34 years old and no longer possesses a 92 MPH fastball like he did earlier in his career, DiFelice continued to utilize his off-speed stuff and showed why his maturity, experience and talent are assets to the Brewers. Mark was on a 45 pitch count limit and proceeded to hurl 50 pitches. Despite giving up a home run to Scott Moore (who would be part of the "unique" situation later on), DiFelice was outstanding as he allowed just the one run and hit in the 2nd inning and struck out four and did not walk a batter. DiFelice retired 12 of the 13 batters that he faced. Chase Wright, who piggybacked for DiFelice, continued the great pitching as he hurled 4 scoreless innings himself and allowing just 2 hits while Sean Green continued to be on a hot streak by hurling a scoreless 9th and the Sounds won it, 5-1.

Now for the "unique" situation. Against Wright in the seventh inning, the Iowa Cubs would threaten. Bryan LaHair lead off with a double to left center field and then Ty Wright walked. Now Scott Moore stepped up to the plate. What did he do? He hit a line drive right to the Sounds' Shortstop Edwin Maysonet who was playing near the bag at 2nd base. Maysonet proceeded to grab the line drive, then stepped on the bag to double off Bryan LaHair and then threw on to Mat Gamel at first to triple off Ty Wright! A TRIPLE PLAY!! It was the first kind of play that I have ever called in nearly 30 years of broadcasting. The crowd went nuts! It was that kind of a night! Nashville gained a split in the 4 game set with Iowa after taking 3 of 4 from Oklahoma City. It was a nice way to kick off a road trip that would see the Sounds travel to New Orleans and then Albuquerque. I will have my New Orleans blog coming up and so far it's been a whale of a time in the Big Easy. Until next time, thanks for reading and enjoy your day!

Home Sweet Home!

As much as I enjoy being on the road, it seems that I always need to energize myself when I come home from a road trip and Greer Stadium is a great place for such energizing! Even though the stadium has been around for a long time and has seen its better days, I still enjoy the view from my own catbird's seat known as my broadcasting booth! No matter what ballpark I'm in, I always remember to this small compartment as my office. Guess what? During the day when I report to the Sounds' office, the booth is also my office where I make phone calls in my continuous efforts to get more businesses and fans involved with the ballclub. Still, my favorite kind of call is in the booth when I am broadcasting the ballgame for that particular night or any night at all.





The Sounds were happy to end their last road trip in Tacoma on a positive note, when they won the nightcap of their doubleheader with the Rainiers by a 3-2 score. Eric Farris singled home the winning run from second when Taylor Green scored to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning! Our reward was a 2-3 hour sleep in our hotel before we had to check out of the Hotel Murano at 4:30 in the morning! As I mentioned in my last blog, such the life in the Pacific Coast League. Still, I enjoy flying and since we don't have to wake up that early every day, it doesn't really bother me. I count my blessings every day because I get to broadcast sports, especially a baseball game on a daily basis during the spring and summer!





On Friday, May 27th, we made our way onto the plane at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport for our 4 hour trip to Chicago's Midway Airport, where we would connect to our flight back to Nashville. I was able to get some shuteye, except there were a couple of times that the couple sitting next to me had to excuse themselves to either walk around or go to the restroom! Of course, I didn't want to be rude to them, so I still picked myself up and let them go through. Had I been asleep, I don't think they would have been able to communicate to me. Still, I was able to get as much sleep as I could and as a result, it really didn't feel like a four-hour flight. Anyway, from Chicago to Nashville, where I picked up my luggage bag and hopped on the bus that would take the team, including myself back to the ballpark.





I didn't know how I was going to feel when I got to the ballpark. Normally, I would go home first and unpack my bag, check my mail and put my laundry in my washer/dryer as soon as possible. Having arrived at the ballpark at 4:30PM, I knew that there was no way that I would have time to go home and get settled since the start of the game was only two and a half hours away!





The Sounds would have the first leg of their homestand against the Oklahoma City RedHawks, a team who was on their LAST leg of a 4-game road trip having started out west in California and playing in Sacramento and then Fresno. Since both teams were travelling two time zones to the Music City, there was no favorable advantage for either team with the exception that the Sounds were back home in the friendly confines of Greer Stadium.





As it turned out, it was a great night for a ballgame and I didn't feel tired at all nor had I experienced any after-effects of the long flight. I knew that I had my job to do and I was NOT going to disappoint. I took the night like I would take any night and I felt so relaxed and was excited when I saw broadcast booth again and was ready to go to work as well as a nice crowd assembling at Greer Stadium. The booth is my office and it literally is since I also use it as an office whenever I make calls during the day so I can get businesses and fans involved with the ballclub. I grabbed my equipment and got everything set up. As it turned out, it was a well-pitched ballgame on Friday night when the Sounds' starter Frankie De La Cruz and former Seattle Mariner Ryan Rowland-Smith locked heads in a fine pitching duel with the Sounds winning the opener, 3-1. Despite giving up a run in the 1st inning, De La Cruz settled down as he did not allow another run through the 6th inning, which turned out to be his last for the night. The Sounds' bullpen did a fine job as Jim Henderson won it in relief! Sounds' 1st Baseman Mat Gamel showed why he is a top prospect with the Brewers as he belted a home run over the right field wall to tie the game at 1-1. Nashville would win it when they broke a 1-1 tie in the 8th inning when Caleb Gindl scored on a wild pitch and then Brendan Katin added good measure with an RBI single in the inning for insurance. The Sounds would win the next 2 games, 8-3 on Saturday and 4-2 on Sunday. Gamel added two more homers in the game on Saturday as the Sounds wore special pink jerseys to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Night as the Sounds and the Nashville Chapter of the American Cancer Society continue the war on this terrible disease. I had a woman named Jennifer Purdom who was representing the Society in my booth for one inning and we discussed the many ways on how funds are raised and what the Society is doing to improve the quality of every cancer patient's life. She is an inspiration since she is a breast cancer survivor herself.

During the game on Sunday with the Sounds winning, left hander Chase Wright escaped trouble in the 1st inning despite giving up a couple of walks and hitting a batter. He then settled down after that in picking up his 2nd win of the year. Relievers Donovan Hand, Zach Braddock and Sean Green did a nice job in relief. Braddock struck out the side in the 7th inning in his only inning of work. Braddock is on a rehab assignment since he was placed on the Brewers' Disabled List due to a sleep disorder, but it was no secret that his stuff put the RedHawks to sleep in the inning. Sean Green, who had been struggling when he got sent down to Nashville, continued to pitch like he is capable of doing as he picked up his 2nd save of the year. Normally, that role would go to Mark DiFelice, but unfortunately, early in the game, DiFelice was tossed for expressing his disbelief on the umpire's call of a drive that Erick Almonte hit to the left field wall in the 1st inning and drove in a run. DiFelice and Manager Don Money both thought the ball went off the upper wall of the double-decked wall in left field and if that was the case, that should have been ruled a home run. It was the umpire's judgement and he had the best view of anyone although from any spot in the stands, you can see the double-decked wall. DiFelice apologized on my pre-game interview with him the following day. Mark is a class individual who doesn't seem to be the type that would get so vehement on stuff like that. Apparently, he just got caught up in the emotions of the situation and those things do happen. Both Almonte and Brandon Boggs were with the club and earlier in the season, they had spent time with the Brewers as reserved players, only to be caught up in the numbers game when Josh Wilson was picked up by the Brewers on waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Nyjer Morgan, the former Washington National, was activated on the big club's roster. Boggs and Almonte each contributed with 2 hits in Sunday's 4-2 win and both showed why they made it to the show. Both are veterans who are experienced, professional and disciplined hitters who never beat themselves at the plate. I wish both Erick and Brandon the best just like I do with everyone else.

On Memorial Day night, the RedHawks took the finale with a 3-2 win over the Sounds at Greer Stadium. Nashville didn't go down quiet since Jeremy Reed doubled in a run and Mike Rivera, who was also returned to the Sounds from the Brewers, also added an RBI with a single in the 9th. Even though the Sounds didn't sweep the series, taking 3 of 4 is nothing to sneeze at and this Sounds team showed they can bounce back. Now that Iowa is in town, hopefully things will change for the Sounds. They are now playing a team in their own division and these games are just as important as well. I will have a blog on the Sounds-Iowa Cubs series coming up. Until then, I like to thank you for reading and your loyal support of Sounds Baseball and we hope to see you out at the ballpark. Happy Reading as always!