Just how good is this 8-4 Nashville Sounds squad?

Nashville started off red hot, going 7-1 on the road. Then they came home to Greer and have plainly struggled, losing 3 of their last 4 (4-7, 7-1, 6-11 and 0-4).  In the skid vs Iowa, the Sounds plated 17 runs but gave up 23. The series starting tonight vs Oklahoma City (8-4) will reveal just how much this young team has to work on.

Here have been the keys to victory so far this year (8-4) for Nashville:

• Bullpen ERA is just .176
• 7-0 if the Sounds score first
• 6-0 if they outhit their opponent
• 6-0 if leading after the 7th inning

Sounds are two-hit by Jackson of Iowa

Just when the Sounds’ bats started to come alive they were shut down with authority tonight as Iowa defeated Nashville by a score of 4-0. The Cubs only had four hits but they made ample use of what they got.  Iowa takes 3 of 4 in the series.

Was there a bright spot for Nashville? Yes, Tim Dillard in relief. He fanned seven batters over 4 2/3 hitless innings. IN his four outings with the Sounds this year he has worked 11.0 scoreless innings and recorded 12 strikeouts. He has held the opposition batting to a measely .139 batting average.

Tim Dillard fanned seven batters tonight.

Sounds’ bats are finally coming alive at home

After a rather dismal start at the plate, as a team, the Sounds’ bats have finally shown a little life in the current home stand.  When this series started on Friday night there was not one single player really swinging the bat very well.

Through Sunday, who is finally starting to put the bat to the ball?

• Erick Almonte (5-11 in series) so far
• Luis Cruz (5-13)
• Eric Farris (3-8)
• Adam Heether (3-9)
• Ben Johnson (3-9)
• Joe Koshansky (3-9)

Still struggling at the plate are: Hopper (2-14), Oeltjen (1-12), Olmedo (1-9).

Adam Heether slammed an HR and a 2B Sunday.

Nashville loses wild one to Iowa, 11-6

Today’s game was exciting for sure but Nashville came out on the losing end in an 11-6 slug fest. Nashville’s defense was horrible, making five errors.

Nashville’s usual reliable relief pitching was less-than today as Murray suffered the loss in defeat.

Today’s photo gallery of over 200 pictures is here.

Adam Heether’s 6th inning home run (3) was exciting as it brought the Sounds even at 6-6.

Adam Heether crosses the plate after his 2-run shot.

Ozzie turns 11

Happy 11th birthday Ozzie.

Ozzie is a big hit with all the fans, of every age.

Ozzie is 0-for-ever against the kids running the bases.

Almonte’s triple today

Eric Almonte hit a triple today. Really, he did.

Here’s the picture to prove he  . . . well . . . sorta slid into 3B.

He’s the only player I’ve ever seen stretch a triple into an almost-double.

Ryne Sandburg

One of the real treats baseball fans have enjoyed this series vs the Iowa Cubs is seeing the Iowa skipper Ryne Sandburg work the dugout and 3B.

In 16 seasons Ryno batted a lifetime .285 batting average and played in the 1984 and 1989 National League Championship Series for the Cubs, batting .385.

Katin injures his knee

Brendan Katin injured his knee (I originally thought it was his foot) on a play to 1B on Friday night (2nd inning) and he left the game. He did not play Saturday or Sunday. This is the same knee that was previously operated on (miniscus).

He is day-to-day. Trainers are waiting for the swelling to subside before any major decisions are made on his treatment.

We miss you David – the “beer man”.

It was announced that David “the beer man” past away since last season. We all miss him.

2010 start for Nashville vs 2009 is NO comparison

Wow!  What a difference a year makes.

The Sounds opened the 2009 season at home. We lost five of our first eight games last year. The average margin of loss in the first eight games in 2009?  Try 7.2 runs per game/loss.   When we lost last year in the first month or so, we lost badly.

So far in 2010, in the first eight games, all away games, we’ve only lost one game (a 4-0 shut out).

We have won 7 of 8 and the average margin of victory has been just 1.4 runs per game.  We’ve one a lot of tight ones so far including three 1-run games.

That’s the good news.

The bad news?  Our hitting has been horrible.  If it weren’t for our pitching so far in 2010 we’d be sucking wind big time.

So far we are batting just .209 as a team.  3rd from the bottom in the PCL. Of our regulars players so far. the highest batting average is just .250 (Cruz).

Our pitching is tops in the PCL with a combined .188 ERA for our starters and relievers.

Thank God for Chris Smith, who has notched a league leading 5 saves so far. Smith alone has more saves (5) than the second place team has in total (4).

Let’s hope the Sounds’ bat become uncorked during our first home series against Iowa.  Go Sounds!

Sounds' players from 2009