Well, after getting to taking in the sights of New Orleans, my impression of the entire city is one that is worthy of visiting.  Full of history, architecture, culture and people watching as well.

I didn’t get to go to the French Quarter as much, but I was impressed with the French-named signs and the old buildings that date back to the 19th century and how well-kept they are, especially even after Hurricane Katrina.

The city has many fine cajun restaurants and there are plenty of historical statues as well.

As for the action on the ballfield, the Sounds continue to excel, having won their first three games of this brief 4-game road trip against the Zephyrs. 

Over the last two games, Nashville came from behind to win and the relief corps continues to be unstoppable.  I’ve never seen a core of relievers who can throw the kind of breaking stuff that I have seldom seen over the years I have broadcast baseball in the minor leagues.  A lot of credit also goes to Sounds’ Pitching Coach Rich Gale, whose straightforward approach has been bought by the players.

Johnny Raburn has been an excellent pickup since he joined the Sounds from the Brewers’ extended Spring Training Camp and Luis Cruiz and Ray Olmedo have come through in the clutch.

A couple of days back, Pitcher Chuck Lofgren got into the act with two hits and three runs-batted-in.  I think Chuck might have lost out a bit on being an everyday player the way he can swing the bat.  However, he has proven to be a very effective pitcher in his brief tenure with the Sounds.

It was a delight to meet former major leaguer Ron Swoboda, who played for both the Mets and Yankees in my hometown of New York City.  He has been a sportscaster in New Orleans for many years, having done sports on TV for stations here in town and is now a broadcaster for the Zephyrs.  Swoboda is best remembered for being part of the 1969 World Champion Miracle New York Mets and made a diving catch in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles at Shea Stadium.  He robbed Brooks Robinson of at least an addtional RBI or two with a great catch of a low line drive.  It tied the game up when Frank Robinson scored from third on the play in the ninth of Game 4.  Very unusual sacrifice fly, but it was not enough as the Mets won that game and the World Series the next day.

It is a bit chilly but nice as the Sounds look to sweep the Zephyrs before heading home on a long bus ride after the ballgame.  Since the team has the day off tomorrow, it will be bussing it back to Music City.  The team certainly deserves the day off, but then again, I’m sure they want to continue to play as they share the best record in the PCL with the Oklahoma City Redhawks. 

Don’t forget that when the Sounds return this Thursday, April 29th when they host the Memphis Redbirds at Greer Stadium at 7:05PM, it will be the Second Taco Bell Throwback Thursday at the ballpark.  Certain concession items will be only $2.00 per item and college students will pay only $5.00 for a General Admission Ticket when they show their ID.  The Sounds will wear throwback uniforms.  We’ll be back on 104.5 The Zone for the game. 

Having said that, we still have a game today at 11:30AM.  Tune in at www.nashvillesounds.com for the action.  See you when we return to Nashville.  It’s been a fun trip!

After the Sounds split their last two games with Oklahoma City at home, it was nice to be “on the road again” as Willie Nelson would sing since this is my first year in the Pacific Coast League, my excitement to visit new cities and ballparks continued to build.

We had a bit of a bumpy flight to New Orleans yesterday morning, but it was still a great ride.  The bus ride from the airport to the hotel was lengthy, but worth it.  The ride to downtown New Orleans was exhiilarating.  We passed by the Superdome, the home of the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.  The Sounds’ pitching coach, Rich Gale, mentioned that the Cardinals had their Triple-A affiliate play in the Superdome one year and the talk was that if the Triple-A club drew at least one million fans, there was talk of having a major league team come to the Big Easy.  Unfortunately, the team drew 650,000 fans, way short of the goal of one million.  Therefore, the plan to have major league baseball in New Orleans was scratched.  The City went without professional baseball until the Zephyrs moved from Denver, Colorado to New Orleans in 1993.  This was due to the Mile High City getting the expansion Colorado Rockies to start play in the National League that year.

I got to see a bit of downtown and saw the abundance of Southern and Cajon Style Restaurants that were there for the taking.  I didn’t have too much time to head out since I had to prepare for the game last night.

It was a lengthy ride to Zephyrs Park in suburban Metairie, but it was worth it.  The park looked a bit older than its age, since the park opened up in 1997.  It seemed older, ,but the view in the broadcast booth was great.  It was also nice to see former Met and Yankee, Ron Swoboda, who is now a Zephyrs’ broadcaster.  He played on the 1969 Miracle Mets World Championship team and is always asked about his famous and great “CATCH” that saved Game 4 of the 1969 World Series.  It’s something that Ron always treasures.

The Sounds won, 8-3 and Chuck Lofgren started for Nashville and won the game.  Lofgren pitched a good five innings, but he also showed WHY he loves to hit.  Chuck helped his own cause by driving in three runs with a two run double off the right-center field wall and a single to center.  Both of those hits came with two outs.  Lofgren is a very hard worker.

Anyway, with today’s game being an afternoon game, I won’t have time to sightsee until either later today as well as tomorrow.  The city is hosting a Jazz Festival in town this weekend.  Of course, Jazz has always been BIG here in New Orleans.  There’s the French Quarter and other places where I hope to tour.  Looking forward to visiting this city by the Bayou.  It’s my first time that I am ever here.

Well, the Sounds look to make it three in a row with RHP Marco Estrada going for Nashville this afternoon.  It’s a beautiful and sunny day as I look outside my hotel window.  The Sounds hope to make it three wins in a row.  The webcast starts at 1:45PM Central time today at www.nashvillesounds.com.  Hope you get to tune in.  In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Nashville with a crowd of more than 5,000 fans at Greer Stadium when the Sounds took on the Oklahoma City Redhawks.  Speaking of many schools getting involved with the Sounds’ Reading Program, Nashville area school kids took in the ballgame and really got to see something.

Sounds’ lefthander Chris Waters made his third start of the season and he did not disappoint.  He pitched seven solid innings despite giving up a two-run homer to Redhawks’ Centerfielder Craig Gentry. 

Sounds’ leftfielder Trent Oeltjen, who had been battling a slump, came through with two runs-batted in while newcomer and Catcher Jonathan Lucroy, doubled in a run in his Triple-A Debut.  He was batting .452 at Class AA Huntsville when he got called up to Triple-A Nashville to take over Angel Salome’s place on the roster.  There is nothing wrong with Salome, physically or talentwise, but he had to come home to New York for a second trip since his wife is still anticipating the arrival of the couple’s second child.  We certainly wish the Salome clan the very best once their bundle of joy enters the world

It was encouraging for Centerfielder Norris Hopper, who was relegated down to the Number 7 spot in the batting order after struggling at the leadoff slot.  He came through with two hits int he game.  Sometimes when a lineup gets tweaked a bit, things can happen in bunches.

The Sounds defeated Oklahoma City, 4-2 to snap a three-game losing streak.  It was also nice to have a night off, albeit I enjoy going to the ballpark every day.  I will say one thing about the beauty of day baseball.  When the sun is out and you have a nice crowd, it builds the excitement.  Baseball was made to be played under sunlight, but it is fun no matter what.  Still, when the weather is ideal and you play in the daytime, there is nothing like it.  I can understand why former Cub First Baseman and Shortstop as well as Hall of Famer Ernie Banks one day said, “Let’s play Two!”.  Of course, in his days with the Cubs, he always played day baseball since the Cubs home games at Wrigley Field used to be played during the daytime only since the ballpark did not install lights until 1988. 

Well, it’s nice to see the three-game losing streak come to an end.  Tonight is another night and the Sounds are 9-5 and still in first place in the Northern Division of the Pacific Coast League’s American Conference.  Of course, there is still a long ways to go, but like I said, I like the 2010 edition of the Nashville Sounds.  Naturally, I hope these guys will make the next and FINAL move up in their careers and that’s making it to the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers.  Who will get that chance?  That remains to be seen.

Until then, continue to enjoy this 2010 Nashville Sounds Team.  I have.  I enjoy covering this team a lot.  We will be broadcasting on the webcast tonight at 6:50PM at www.nashvillesounds.com.  Please join me for the broadcast with LHP Chase Wright pitching for the Sounds.  Until next time, take care and have a nice day. 

As they say, don’t get mad, get even.  That’s exactly what the case was for the Iowa Cubs.  Last night, the Cubs blanked the Sounds, 4-0 and it marked the first series loss for the Nashville Sounds in 2010.  So far, it hasn’t exactly been “Home Sweet Home” for the Sounds, but there is quite a ways to go in the baseball season.  Keep in mind that it is a marathon and not a sprint.

I-Cubs’ righthander and starting pitcher, Jay Jackson was magnificent in last night’s game.  He allowed just two hits and no runs in eight solid innings while the Sounds’ starter, Chuck Lofgren, had his worst start so far.  He pitched well during his first two starts, but last night, Chuck had one of those nights that will happen to anyone.  He gave up a pair of home runs and he walked the first two batters in the fourth inning.  His pitched count was higher than 70 when Sounds’ manager, Don Money, took him out of the game in the fourth inning.

Nashville’s own Tim Dillard and Mitch Stetter were the only two positives for the Sounds last night as the Nashville Bullpen continues to flourish.  Dillard’s new sidearm delivery has done wonders for him so far and he went 4.1 innings and struck out five and allowed no runs and no hits.  Dillard retired the last 11 batters he pitched while Stetter pitched a scorless ninth inning.  Having said that, the Sounds’ bats went cold last night as they were blanked for the second time this year.  Not having Brendan Katin in the lineup has certainly taken its toll on the rest of the Sounds’ lineup and the guys know they will have to pick up the slack while Katin is still absent.

It was nice to see the Special Assistant to Doug Melvin of the Milwaukee Brewers, Dan O’Brien, Jr. Dan used to be the GM of the Cincinnati Reds and his dad, Dan, Sr., was a long baseball exec himself.  Dan is one of the shrewdest and classiest baseball men around.  I had interviewed him last night and will have it broadcast while I am doing the webcast for tonight’s game.  He seems to be pleased with the Sounds’ bullpen as well.

For the other positive in last night’s game was the pre-game media spread.  Chicken and Beef Rigatoni was on the menu and it was awesome.  We have outstanding pre-game meals in the pressbox and both Doug Scopel and Michael Whitty have continued to do a fabulous job when it comes to assisting the broadcasters and the rest of the media.  They are top-notch.

Well, the Oklahoma City Redhawks come to the Music City for the start of a 4-game set at Greer Stadium tonight.  The Redhawks saw their six-game winning streak end when they lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 4-3, at Autozone Park in Memphis last night. The Redhawks, the Las Vegas 51s and the Sounds have the share for the best record in the Pacific Coast League at 8-4. Between the Sounds and the Redhawks, one of them will have a better record after tonight’s first game of the series.  Gametime is at 7:05PM.  The broadcast will be on internet only at www.nashvillesounds.com starting at 6:50PM with the Sam’s Sports Bar & Grill Pre-Game Chat. 

Tonight is Kraft Singles Night at Greer Stadium.  This is a universal baseball promotion you can buy one ticket and get one free, but you need to have a Kraft Singles Wrapper/Proof of Purchase to take advantage of this great promotion, so don’t forget your Kraft wrapper when you come to the ballpark tonight.  The Redhawks are the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate and they have some big offensive weapons coming to Nashville tonight.  Hope to see all of you out there, but if you can’t make it to the ballpark, tune in to the webcast.  I’ll be speaking to you soon.  Have a nice day! 

After losing the home opener on Friday night, the Sounds responded with a bang as they scored six runs in the second inning on Saturday night against Iowa and won the ballgame, 7-1.  Sounds’ starter Chase Wright pitched six quality innings and even helped his own cause with an RBI single.  More importantly, some of the guys like Erick Almonte and Eric Farris are starting to show signs of improving on their offense.

Things were tempered a bit when outfielder Brendan Katin was placed on the Dl due to a knee injury, but it doesn’t seem that he will be out of action too long.  Only time will tell.  However, the Sounds will certainly need his bat in the long haul if they want to continue playing at the level they are at.  Infielder John Raburn was activated on the Sounds’ roster to take Katin’s place for the moment.  Raburn can play a variety of positions, which will help the Sounds.

Unfortunately, there was no carryover from Saturday night to the following day as the Sounds committed an uncharacteristic amount of errors: 5.  The Sounds have been (pardon the pun) fundamentally sound all year until today’s game.  It was just one of those games and Sounds’ starter Kameron Loe lost his second straight decision.  Cubs’ Catcher Wellington Castillo had four runs batted in, including a home run and Bobby Scales added to the Cubs’ attack with three hits of his own.

Well, the Sounds are hoping to gain a split in their four game set with the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium tomorrow night.  Gametime at 7:05PM.  Lefthander Chuck Lofgren bids for his third win of the season for Nashville.  He has done an outstanding job since joining the Brewers’ organization after spending five years in the Cleveland Indians’ farm system

Fans, don’t forget it is Dollar Dog Night at Greer Stadium.  Even despite the loss, the Sounds have been off to an impressive start at 8-3.  Tune in tomorrow if you can’t make it to the game.  I will broadcast the ballgame on 104.5 The Zone (WGFX-FM) and on nashvillesounds.com.  .

Please accept my apologies for omitting my blog yesterday.  After hoping on a plane at 6:25AM leaving Omaha, the Sounds and yours truly, arrived in Nashville between 10 and 10:30AM yesterday morning.  Once we got our bags from the baggage claim, we made our way to the bus and I was relaxing and smiling because the team has started off winning seven of their first eight games. 

I arrived home and played catch up like any other announcer coming from out of town.  I checked my mail and paid any bills that needed to be paid and of course, there was laundry and ironing (which I am still doing this morning as of this writing).

The weather was outstanding on the road and I can say the very same here in Nashville.  It’s nice that it is spring and the Boys of Summer are back in town to play ball.

Last night, the Sounds had their home opener at Greer Stadium and for a lot of the staff, it was their first home opener with the club.  Everyone and I mean everyone did an outstanding job getting things ready.  There was a crowd of 8,122 at the venerable ballpark and there were 2010 Sounds Magnetic Schedules to be given out, a spectacular fireworks show after the game, kids were running the bases and it was also a spectacular ballgame.  The ONLY disappointment was the result of the game, but the effort has ALWAYS been there.

The Sounds trailed much of the game against the Iowa Cubs, the team that was swept by the Sounds in Des Moines the week before.  I-Cubs Catcher Chris Robinson and left fielder Jason Dubois made Sounds’ starting pitcher Chris Waters pay when they hit some pitches that were right down the middle of the plate and were deposited over the left field wall.

However, after trailing 4-2 in the ninth, the Sounds loaded the bases and pinch batter Ray Olmedo came through with a base hit to left field that drove in two runs and that tied the game at 4-4.  Unfortunately, with the winning run on third and two outs in the ninth, Norris Hopper struck out and the threat ended.  It would stay that way until the eleventh inning.  Sounds’ reliever John Axford had no troubles in the tenth, but in the eleventh, he ran into trouble for the first time this year.  Iowa got to him for three runs in the inning on an RBI single by Shortstop Darwin Barney and added insurance when Second Baseman Bobby Scales doubled in a pair of runs to make it 7-4, Iowa.  That would turn out to be the final score.  Just like what has been their fashion all year, the Sounds threatened again in the bottom of the eleventh.  Hopper came to bat with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning, as he hoped to redeemed himself for the missed opportunity in the ninth.  However, he struck out again and the Sounds lost the home opener.  Still, despite the loss, this 2010 edition of the Sounds, is showing they are capable of being in every ballgame and they continue to be resilient, even in defeat.  If all of this is a prelude to what we hope and expect to see for the season, then I certainly like what I am seeing and I know the Sounds’ fans did last night.  I even liked when the fans were on their feet during the rallies.  They really got into it. 

Despite playing in an old park, this Sounds team has a lot to offer on the field and speaking of the field, Groundskeeper Thomas Trotter and his staff have done a tremendous job manicuring the field and continue to keep it in excellent shape.  Keep up the great work, guys.  There is also entertainment going on even away from the field with more promotions coming up at Greer Stadium.

After being pre-empted from regular radio last night due to the Predators’ hockey playoff game, I’m happy to say that we will be back on radio again on 104.5 The Zone (WGFX-FM) at 6:30PM for Game 2 of the series against Iowa at Greer Stadium tonight.  If you have not formulated your plans to come out to the ballgame, I encourage you to do so because of the great play and there will be another post-game fireworks show at Greer Stadium tonight.  Great seats are still available for tonight’s game and for the rest of the homestand, which features two additional games against the Iowa Cubs after tonight’s game and four games with the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Redhawks, starting this Tuesday, April 20th.  Check on the Sounds’ website for more ticket and promotional information. As always, every game will be broadcast on the internet at www.nashvillesounds.com. 

On a side note, Sounds’ rightfielder, Brendan Katin had to leave the game in the fourth inning.  Why?  I don’t know.  I never got the answer, but I will when I get to the ballpark today.  Hopefully, it is nothing serious because Katin is one of the best hitters in the Pacific Coast League and he has been off to a very good start this year.

Well, see you at the ballpark tonight or otherwise, if you can’t make it, then tune in to 104.5 The Zone and the Sounds’ website for the broadcast! Until then, take care and have a nice day!

After losing for the first time this season on Tuesday night, the Sounds bounced back in a hurry and continued where they left off after their 5-0 start.  Brendan Katin belted a two-run homer and Joe Koshansky followed with a solo shot over the right field wall in the first inning and that was all the runs the Sounds need as they defeated the Omaha Royals, 3-2, at Rosenblatt Stadium last night.

Katin and Koshansky have shown from time to time over their careers as to how important they will be to the ballclub with their power capabilities.  Whenever those guys hit one, fans can’t help but get awestruck with the distance they hit the ball. 

As for the pitching, it continues to be top-rate. It was the second straight quality start for Sounds’ lefthander Chuck Lofgren as he attacked the Omaha hitters with a very good fastball and despite giving up a two-run single to Royals’ second baseman Marc Maddox and hitting a pair of batters in the fifth inning, Lofgren held Omaha to just the two runs while walking just one and fanning four in his seven innings of pitching last night.

Phillip Humber, the Royals’ starter, pitched well after allowing the three runs in the first inning, but the entire Sounds’ pitching staff did their job and continued to get key strikeouts whenever they needed them.  Chris Smith picked up his fourth save of the year when he struck out Jordan Parraz to end the game.  Parraz was the only batter who faced Smith last night.

Well, after having internet-only broadcasts for the first seven games, it will be exciting for the fans to tune in to 104.5 The Zone as I will be on the air tonight at 6:30PM for the finale of the series against the Omaha Royals as well as the first road trip. 

It’s been a great road trip for me and the team and I look forward to my first homestand with the Sounds when we fly back to Nashville tomorrow and have our home opener against the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium at 7:05PM tomorrow night.

I urge all of you to not only tune in to the first radio broadcast tonight, but to formulate your plans and come on out to root for the Sounds, especially now that they have began the season on an outstanding note.

The fans will certainly enjoy the 2010 edition of the Sounds Baseball Club.  Of course, depending on what happens with the big club in Milwaukee, the Sounds must deal with any player moves that can happen at a moment’s notice.  As nice as it is to have a competitive team in Nashville, fans must realize that the primary goal for the Brewers’ organization is to get these players to Milwaukee as soon as possible.  It all depends on what the Brewers want and need at this point.

It may be early in the season, but this has been a nice prelude to a potential Pacific Coast League Championship for 2010.  Only time will tell what happens.  However, in baseball as in life, we must take things one day at a time.

I hope to meet as many of you fans tomorrow night during the home opener as well as for every home game during the season.  If you ever have the chance to see the team while on the road, that would be great as well. 

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for listening!

Unfortunately, when it comes to sports, a team will have its share of nights when things just don’t go their way and it was not meant to be.  Tonight was one of those nights here in Omaha

Sounds’ righthander Kameron Loe made his second start of the year and even though he finished up strong, he didn’t pitch as well as he did during the opener against the Cubs in Des Moines and gave up a pair of home runs against the O-Royals tonight. 

Gaby Hernandez, the Royals’ starter was brilliant and he had a no hitter through six innings.  However, he was pulled from the game by Royals’ manager Mike Jirschele since he reached his pitch limit.  As a baseball fan, when a pitcher is working on a no-hitter, you never like to see anyone pulled.  Having said that, I completely understand that Jirscele wants to make sure that these prospects don’t overdo it and the main job is to get them to Kansas City as soon as possible.  Reliever Josh Rupe pitched a scoreless and hitless seventh and it looked like the O-Royals would have a combined no hitter.  Former Indian Matt Herges replaced Rupe in the eighth inning and he was greeted immediately by a pair of singles from Sounds’ Shortstop Luis Cruz and Catcher Patrick Arlis.   The problem was that Nashville could not capitalize since Norris Hopper bounced into a force play and Ray Olmedo hit into an inning-ending double play. 

THe Sounds were defeated for the first time this year, 4-0 and of course, they were shutout for the first time.  You can’t win them all as they say and now the Sounds must put this loss behind them and start another streak tomorrow.  The true test of one’s character is how to deal with adversity and we will see what happens tomorrow.  The Sounds have certainly showed they are resilient and are loaded with plenty of talent from the pitching through the hitting and they are fun to watch.  Knowing the attitudes and determination of these players, I know they will bounce back.  This edition of the 2010 Sounds is great and the team is ladened with experienced and talented offensive players.  The pitching has been sharp and Don Money and his coaches, Sandy Guerrero and Rich Gale, have continued to work hard to  help these guys maximize their potential and will do everything they can to help them get to the next level and that is the ultimate level: the major leagues.

Great try tonight, guys, but the sun will come out tomorrow.  Actually, they are calling for rain, but hopefully, we will get to play tomorrow.  Have a nice night, folks.  As Satchel Paige would say, “Don’t look back” and I don’t look back to this loss.  It’s just a bump in the road and I am confident in this team and they will do well. 

After a quiet and restful Sunday evening, I prepared for my first game of the series between the Sounds and the Omaha Royals in Omaha, Nebraska.  As I mentioned, we are staying across the river in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

I was excited about my first trip to venerable and historical Rosenblatt Stadium.  I was excited to be in a ballpark that is full of history, not just being the longtime home of the Omaha Royals, but also the longtime home of the College World Series.

The ballpark opened in 1948 and even though the ballpark has seen better days, I still enjoyed viewing the place.  Pillars support the pressbox high up above the grandstand, which features lower level box seats and upper reserve seats.  from the left field foul pole to the right field foul pole.  An awful lot of seats.  I couldn’t mask my disappointment when only a little over 2,000 fans showed up for the opener last night.  The Royals will be moving into a new ballpark next season, but it kind of felt a bit out of place being in a park that was almost empty.  Still, I enjoy the old ballparks and I will say one thing about the grass.  It was well manicured and it had the Omaha Royals logo behind the plate.  There is a video scoreboard in the leftfield corner with the “Rosenblatt” name molded on top.

I couldn’t believe the amount of broadcast booths in the ballpark.  However, when your in a park that has so many college teams play in the World Series, you know that you must be ready for a gigantic amount of media.

The ballpark didn’t seem to offer a whole lot except for the concession stands, but I didn’t see too many other venues.  I’m sure the new ballpark will have them.  Rosenblatt Stadium is in an ideal spot, since it’s located right off I-80 and you can see the downtown Omaha skyline beyond the left field foul pole.

As far as the game was concerned, the Sounds continue to show their resiliency.  Former Pirates’ Number 1 Pick Bryan Bullington started and pitched very well despite giving up a run in the first inning against the Sounds.  He did strike out five in a row and at one point, Bullington retired 16 in a row.  However, Sounds’ starter and former Yankee Chase Wright pitched well himself, albeit he was not as dominant as Bullington was.  The bottom line, though, was Wright kept the Sounds in the ballgame.  Despite giving up a run when he uncorked a wild pitch that tied the game at 1-1, Wright struck out the next two batters to get out of trouble.  Wright DID get into trouble in the fifth when he gave up a pair of home runs against Omaha in the fifth inning.  Former big league Wilson Betemit and Cody Clark took  Wright deep in the inning to give Omaha a 3-1.  In the sixth inning, the Sounds cut the Royals’ 3-2 when left fielder Trent Oeltjen singled to right field to score Norris Hopper from second base.  Oeltjen has continued to be an outstanding clutch hitter for the Nashville Sounds in this young season.

It would stay 3-2 going into the ninth and that’s when the Sounds would start another comeback.  O-Royals’ reliever Anthony Lerew was pitching his second straight inning in relief and hoping to save the game for the starter Bryan Bullington, who was in position for the win.  However, when Lerew walked the first two batters, Trent Oeltjen and Brendan Katin, he knew he was in trouble. Sounds’ first baseman Joe Koshansky singled to right but Oeltjen could only make it to third since the hit just eluded the Royals’ second baseman Marc Maddox since Trent was not sure if Maddox would catch it or not.  Lerew was pulled for Carlos Rosa.  The righthander proceeded to strike out DH Erick Almonte, but Rosa walked Heether to force in the tying run when Oeltjen scored from third to make it 3-3.  The Sounds would win it when Catcher Ben Johnson hit a deep sac fly to left to score Katin from third to give Nashville the lead for good, 4-3.  Shortstop Luis Cruz provided an insurance run for the Sounds with his base hit to center field that drove in Joe Koshansky, who set up the third run when he stole third base. It was 5-3, Nashville.

Veteran Canadian Righthander John Axford came on to relieve in the ninth to save it for reliever Mike McClendon, who would turn out to be the winning pitcher.

After retiring the first batter in the ninth, Axford walked DH Scott Thorman and gave up a single to left fielder Buck Coats.  Catcher Cody Clark, who homered earlier in the game, could not take advantage of the opportunity when he bounced into a game-ended 6-4-3 double play.  Ballgame over and the Sounds win it and are now 5-0.  This is their best start in at least five years.  Nashville remains as the ONLY undefeated team in the Pacific Coast League.  This team is playing smart baseball under Manager Don Money and is a hungry, patient and determined ballclub.  Everyone has contributed so far and the Sounds hope the momentum will continue tonight when they play the O-Royals for Game 2 of the 4 game set.  Righthander Kameron Loe is bidding for his second win of the year after he beat Iowa in the season opener last Thursday in Des Moines and RHP Gaby Hernandez will make start for Omaha.  The broadcast starts at 6:20PM tonight at www.nashvillesounds.com.  No doubt that it has been fun covering this team.  Thank you for reading in and I look forward to having you tune in tonight.  

What a way to start a new job, by seeing your new club sweep an opponent in the very first series of the season.  Today, Brendan Katin and Adam Heether went deep and the Nashville Sounds won it 4-2 over the Iowa Cubs and are now 4-0 on the young season.

After the game, we took a nice two-hour bus trip towards Council Bluffs, Iowa, where we are staying for the remainder of the road trip as we play the team across the river from Council Bluffs, and that is the Omaha Royals.

There are quite a few casinos outside our hotel and no, I didn’t go gambling.  However, when it comes to casinos, they always have buffets.  I took advantage of the buffet at the AmeriStar Casino and ate some nice delicacies, but I won’t probably eat for another 24 hours after I got stuffed.  The price was $18.00, but well worth it.  I highly recommend it.

Twice, the Sounds trailed and twice they came back.  This 2010 edition of the Sounds continue to show resiliency and now they hope to carry that momentum into the beginning of tomorrow night’s opener of the series against the Omaha Royals at venerable Rosenblatt Stadium.  It will be my first visit to the ancient ballpark, which has so much history with the College World Series taking place there annually for decades. 

Former Yankee Chase Wright makes his first start for the Sounds tomorrow night.  I’ll have the webcast, starting at 6:20PM at www.nashvillesounds.com.   Right now, I’m still too stuffed and just want to relax, so I am keeping tonight’s blog short.  I enjoyed my first visit to Des Moines and looking forward to my next visit there in late August.  Until then, there’s more baseball to go. 

Thank you to Presdent and GM Sam Bernabe, Broadcasters Deane Ehlis and Randy Wehofer and Media Relations Director Andrea Breen for their help and making me feel at hoome at Principal Park.  Have a great week, folks!