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!

Now that the Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, we must never forget those men and women who sacrificed their lives in the various wars that the United States have been involved in for the purpose of protecting and stabilizing our great country.

I will also never forget what happened the past two nights at Greer Stadium with the Sounds being involved in wars of their own–and that’s on a ballfield!

As a broadcaster for the team, I got to witness and call two of the greatest endings in a baseball game that I ever saw.  On Friday Night, it was Adam Heether who sent the Greer Stadium crowd home happy with his two–out, two-run game winning home run off Iowa Cubs’ reliever Brian Schlitter to propel the Sounds to a 6-5 win.  Well, last night, Sounds First Baseman Joe Koshansky turned the same trick by depositing a 2-2 fastball over the right field wall with the Sounds bouncing back again to win the game, 5-3 over the Iowa Cubs.  On both nights, Fireworks at Greer Stadium followed, but they were not compatible to the fireworks that myself and the team as well as the fans got to see in the ninth inning during the first two games of this vital four-game set. 

The Sounds needed these wins in the worst way because 1) they came reeling back to Nashville after winning only three of eight games on their previous California Road Trip.  Sacramento was known for the California Gold Rush, but unfortunately, the Sounds couldn’t find much gold in their series against the River Cats when they dropped three of four against them at Raley Field this past week.  However, Nashville showed how capable they really are in bouncing back with these come-from-behind wins.  More importantly, they continue to keep their hold on first place, which is a position they have possessed in the PCL’s American Conference Northern Division since April 9th. 

For both Heether and Koshansky, they ended home run droughts and both of them picked their home runs at the perfect and right time.  They both realize they are capable of hitting a lot of home runs and know they have to continue to set examples as leaders on the ballfield. 

It was also important for the Sounds to continue winning because the Omaha Royals have been the hottest team in the Pacific Coast League as of late, with them winning seven in a row.  They moved into second place in the American North, 1 1/2 games back of the Sounds, with both teams meeting again in Omaha on the next road trip.  The Sounds won three of four during their first visit to Rosenblatt Stadium (which will be no more for the O-Royals after this season) and the Sounds hope to continue that kind of momentum during the tail end of their next road trip and that begins next Saturday, June 5th in Round Rock, Texas.

It’s been an up and down month for the Sounds, but they are now making things exciting for the fans at Greer Stadium.

Going back to Sacramento, that is one of the best towns I’ve ever visited with its fine architecture, Old Sacramento (I felt like I was in the Old West when I visited that part of town) and many fine museums.  The California State Museum and the Sacramento City Museum are “must-sees”.  I learned a lot about the California Gold Rush, visiting both!

Today is Game 3 of the four-game set between the Sounds & the Iowa Cubs at 2:05PM.  I will have the broadcast on 104.5 The Zone and on nashvillesounds.com.  Be sure to tune in again.  Hope the Sounds don’t need a walk-off homer today, but they are sure exciting to broadcast and watch.  Chuck Lofgren goes after his seventh win for the Sounds today.  It is Purity Sundae Sunday Day and you can buy a Sundae for only $1.00, courtesy of Purity Farms.  Hope you make it out to the ballpark today, but if you can’t, I hope you tune in and listen to this exciting Sounds Team on radio.  Thank you as always and please have a Happy, Healthy and above all, a SAFE Memorial Day Weekend!

So far, it’s been an up and down road trip for the Nashville Sounds after splitting four in Fresno, but losing two of their first three games here in Sacramento. 

On both losses, both Chris Waters and Chase Wright had one bad inning that hurt them (both had given up two homers in one inning) and it cost the Sounds the ballgame.  Tonight, it will be the final game of the Sounds’ California Road Trip before an early wakeup call tomorrow and for the flight back to Nashville.

The great thing about being on the road is the cities that you can see.  I’ve had my share of enjoyment here in Sacramento, getting around downtown and visiting a museum or so.  I am hoping to visit Old Sacramento today before I head out to the ballpark.  A lot of history seems to be involved in this part of town.

It’s nice that I can continue to walk to and from the ballpark via the Tower Bridge that gets me from West Sacramento (where Raley Field is) to our hotel, which is downtown.  There is so much to see and do.

Anyway, tonight’s game between the Sounds and the Sacramento River Cats will be on radio (104.5 The Zone) as well as on nashvillesounds.com.  I look forward to heading back home as the Sounds start an eight-game homestand against the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium tomorrow night at 7:05PM.  There will be Fireworks after the game, courtesy of Firestone.

I encourage you to tune in as always, since the Sounds are involved in a heated race for the American North with Iowa and Memphis catching fire.  It sure has gotten interesting. 

I look for a split in this four-game set before heading back to the Music City tomorrow.  Hope to see you out at the ballpark to cheer the Sounds on!

Good morning, folks.  From Northern California, I am enjoying the second half of this current Sounds’ eight-game road trip as I am making my first visit to Sacramento! I say Capital “C” because it is California and I am impressed with Sacramento.

The Capitol of California is a nice and laid back city.  It has some nice (but not very tall) buildings, which many are lined up on the street’s large boulevard, Capitol Mall.  I feel like I am in Washington, DC, with the site of the State Capitol Building situated way east of where I was walking.   A couple of streets are lined up with an assortment of palm trees.  I felt like I was really in Southern California instead of Sacramento. 

There are a number of fine restaurants, museums and quite a few landmarks.  One landmark includes a Vietnam Memorial, stating all of the California Military participants, who, unfortunately sacrificed their lives in this war.  There were a few statues in the area as well and it was surrounding by some nice gardens as well.  

What makes Sacramento so easy to get around is that the majority of the streets are numbered and LETTERED.  Yes, Lettered! For instance, our hotel is on “J” Street off 4th Street.  I had no difficulties in navigating around the city. 

There is also a bridge that you can walk on from downtown towards the “West Sacramento” section of town, where Raley Field is.  Raley Field is the home of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. I was able to walk back over the bridge from downtown.  I must say it was a very nice sight at night!

Unfortunately, unlike my first day of touring the city, the ballgame was a different story.  Sounds’ lefthander Chris Waters did not have his best stuff.  He fell behind the hitters and gave up three home runs, two to the River Cats’ Shortstop Steve Tolleson.  The Cats won the opener of the series last night, 8-3.  It was the first time they won back to back games this year.  Well, the same thing happened to the Round Rock Express when the Sounds played them earlier this month at Round Rock.  Seems like every time the Sounds play a new team, especially when that team struggles, the Sounds struggle.  Sometimes that’s how the game of baseball is. 

The Sounds know they need to start winning, especially since the Iowa Cubs and the Memphis Redbirds have been playing great ball lately and both of those teams are now just one game back of Nashville in the standings of the PCL’s American Conference Northern Division.  After this series, the Sounds know they host Iowa at home this Friday, so they need to get it going.

Btw, Mitch Stetter and Adam Stern have rejoined the Sounds after spending some time with the Milwaukee Brewers.  Hope those guys get a chance to get back to Milwaukee soon.  In fact, Stern made a great throw to the plate when he nailed Cats’ Catcher Josh Donaldson at the plate as he tried to score on a medium fly to left field. 

Anyway, better luck for the Sounds tonight as Chuck Lofgren will get the nod for Nashville.  Lofgren lost his last start, 6-2, to Fresno at the start of the road trip on May 20th.

I will have the call tonight over www.nashvillesounds.com with the Sam’s Sports Bar & Grill Pre-Game Clubhouse Chat at 8:50PM Central Time.  Have a nice day.  I recommend that you visit Sacramento if you have not done so already.  Great town indeed and it is with a Capital “C” instead of an “S” for California! 

Just as I thought the internet problems were behind me, here we go again! This time, there was a problem throughout the entire pressbox at Chukchansi Park (through no fault of anyone there) as I was supposed to get ready to broadcast over our team website for last night’s third game of the four-game set between the Sounds & the Fresno Grizzlies from Chukchansi Park.

I had an internet connection for the broadcast UNTIL the connection disappeared for some inexplicable reason.  I tried a variety of available wireless connections as well as a hard line with an ethernet cable, but NOTHING worked! Alas, I was told that I can broadcast-OF ALL PLACES-in the Fresno Grizzlies’ conference room one floor below, where I should have a hard line connection. 

Well, guess what?  The hard line connection didn’t work out, albeit my computer was fine.  I was thinking to myself at first, “Oh noooo, here we go again!”.  I thought for sure that we were not going to be able to broadcast last night’s game.  Until this series, I never had a problem with ANY internet connection involving a Sounds’ broadcast.

Anyway, as I was thinking about my fate, I was wondering what the fans were going to think now?  When I broadcast, I use an audio mixer, a mixer-connector device to hook between my regular audio mixer and computer and hope and pray that there is an internet connection because without it, the broadcast would not be able to go over the internet/website.

I was desperate in trying to find ways to get on.  I was told that no wireless connection exists on the same floor as the Grizzlies’ office.  Still, despte being told that, I gave it a shot anyway and looked up available wireless connections.  I usually connect through the Grizzlies’ wireless network.  Instead, I saw the City of Fresno wireless network available, so I thought, “What have I got to lose?”.  Well, lo and behold, the broadcast connected! I scrambled to get ready and to broadcast.  We were a few innings in when I FINALLY got “on the air”.  With the help of Grizzlies’ Media Relations Director (and former San Antonio Missions’ colleague and Media Relations Director) Noah Frank, I asked him to go on our website and text message me to see if we were on and we were.  I still had to make some additional adjustments on my regular audio mixer to make sure that we were assured of a louder and clearer signal.  Alast, we were!

Picture a broadcaster in a conference room that does have a window looking out towards the playing field and having all of his equipment in a conference room and broadcasting the game instead of a regular broadcast booth! Crazy, isn’t it?  However, the show must go on and fortunately, IT DID!

There was also a door leading to the stands, so I stuck my crowd mike there.  I started to see people looking inside the office with strange looks and wondering who was this crazy guy in the headsets?  Obviously, the fans had no idea that I had to broadcast there due to the troubles up in the pressbox. 

What a ballgame it turned out.  A great pitching duel between starters Kameron Loe of the Sounds and late-minute starter, Matt Kinney.  The Sounds would score first on doubles by Josh Anderson and Trent Oeltjen.  Then speaking of double, the Grizzlies would tie the score late in the game when they pulled off a double steal, including Ben Chapman stealing home.  However, Jesus Guzman, who stole second, saw that Catcher Pat Arlis was taking his time in making the play at home.  Despite that, Arlis was alert and saw Guzman break towards third and Pat made a strong throw to Sounds’ third baseman Adam Heether and Heether tagged Guzman out. 

The Sounds would win it in the ninth when Trent Oeltjen led off with a walk and then stole BOTH second and third.  Thanks to the Austrailian’s daring base running and stealing, Heether drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly to Center that scored Oeltjen and Nashville led, 2-1.  Sounds’ reliever Chris Smith would pick up his PCL-leading 15th save with a scoreless ninth and the Sounds have won two in a row against the team with the best record in the league. 

Now the Sounds hope to make it three out of four in the series with a win today.  I will have the webcast (conference room or not) over www.nashvillesounds.com at 4:05PM Central Time.  This is our only trip to Fresno this season as well as the only series we play the Grizzlies (unless we somehow play in the PCL Championship series and that is still very possible).  The Sounds head to the California State Capitol of Sacramento to start a series against the Athletics’ AAA farm club, the Sacramento River Cats, beginning tomorrow night at Raley Field.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  Thank you for tuning in.  Speak to you again soon!

Well, after the Sounds and me experienced a disastrous Thursday night, we both were resilient as I was able to get the broadcast on the internet (LOL, at least I hope I did; didn’t hear either way, but I was told the signal was connected) and the Sounds won, 3-1 over the Grizzlies in Fresno, despite early control problems from starter Chase Wright.  Chase settled down and pitched much better and Johnny Raburn made a couple of outstanding catches–and in succession in one inning.

Shortstop Luis Cruz made a diving stop on Angel Berroa’s hard hit grounder towards short and turned it into a force play to end the inning and further threats by the Grizzlies’ offense.  Chris Smith picked up his league-leading 14th save despite giving up a lead-off triple to Fresno Centerfielder Eugenio Velez in the ninth inning.  Smith struck out Buster Posey to end the game.

The last three days, the weather here in Central California has been ideal and I look to see continued success tonight.  The Sounds’ hottest pitcher, Kameron Loe, will start tonight.  Airtime for the webcast is at 8:50PM Central Time over www.nashvillesounds.com.  Hope the Sounds will continue where they left off last night.

If anyone tried tuning in to the webcast over the internet tonight and couldn’t get anything, then I want to sincerely apologize for not being able to get on tonight.

The worst feeling in the world is when you try feverishly to do everything to get the ball rolling and unfortunately, when certain things are beyond your control, there is not much you can do about it.

For whatever reason, the primary server could not get connected and I worked all night to try to salvage everything that I possibly could to get the coverage of the game going.  In my nearly thirty years of broadcasting, I’ve never had a problem like the one I had tonight when there was an event going on that I was supposed to cover–and couldn’t do it.  It’s a helpless and frustrating feeling.

I contacted as many people as I could to help, but nothing worked out.  Anyway, going to the game between the Nashville Sounds & the Fresno Grizzlies tonight, it was not a good start for the Sounds on their road trip, either.  Fresno beat the Sounds, 6-2 before a crowd of 7,630 at Chukchansi Park. 

Since I feel responsible for what happened tonight, I owe everyone a report of the game as much as possible.  Fresno did not waste any time against Sounds Starter and losing pitcher Chuck Lofgren in the first inning.  Second Baseman Brock Bond led off with a double in the inning.  After Tyler Graham grounded out slowly to third to advance Bond to third base, Catcher Buster Posey drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to center to score Bond from third to make it 1-0, Fresno.  Third Baseman Jesus Guzman homered over the left field wall to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

The Grizzlies built up their lead in the sixth inning when Chuck Lofgren got knocked out when he gave up an additional four runs in that inning.  Bond singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a double by Tyler Graham.  Buster Posey singled to drive Bond in to make it 3-0 Fresno.  Graham advanced to third on the base hit and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Joe Borchard.  Brett Pill then unloaded with a three run homer to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead and that’s all the runs that Grizzlies’ starter Joe Martinez would need.

Martinez pitched very well in his 7.2 innings of work as he allowed just two runs on five hits while walking three and fanning two.

The Sounds would get to Martinez in the eighth inning when Left Fielder Drew Anderson led off with a walk and scored when Ray Olmedo doubled to right and he would score on an RBI single by Trent Oeltjen.  It would cut Fresno’s lead to 6-2, but that’s all that Nashville could muster for the night. 

The Grizzlies have someone in their office who is a computer whiz and I will try to see how the primary server can get connected for the broadcast tomorrow night.  I am determined that I won’t lose sleep over this, but I was disappointed and upset that I couldn’t deliver the game to you because of these circumstances that were beyond my control. Please accept my apologies for this unfortunate event.  

Hopefully, the Sounds will rebound from tonight’s loss and I know they are capable of doing so.  

One thing for myself and the Sounds that we know: the sun will come out tomorrow and another day will come and I will make every attempt to get the webcast running again.  Tomorrow’s game is at 9:05PM Central Time (don’t forget that there is a two hour difference between Fresno time and Nashville time).  Hope you still had a nice evening, but have a better day tomorrow.  I will definitely intend to do so!

It is so nice to visit the wonderful state of California.  My only visit to the Golden State was back in 2005, when I visited the City by the Bay, San Francisco.  I highly recommend a visit there if you have never been there.

The Sounds arrived in town at approximately 9:40PM Pacific Time (Close to midnight via Nashville time) and after getting our bags, we bussed it to our hotel in Fresno.  The Radisson Hotel here in town reminds me of the John Hammons-like Hotels where you have a whole open space inside the building and when you come out of the elevators, the rooms are against the wall and you can still see the lobby below via the balcony.

I had the chance to go around downtown Fresno today and I was real disappointed.  Except for a walk-through outdoor mall, it didn’t offer a whole lot.  On the East Side part of downtown, there were some nice restaurants, patios and more modern buildings,while the Central and Western part of downtown was older and more industrialized.  Some blocks where I walked, it felt like a ghost town.  I will say this: if you like Mexican Food, Fresno is the place since it has a lot of Mexican Restaurants here in town.

The great thing about where we stay, it is within walking distance of the ballpark.  I had a chance to look upclose at Chukchansi Park, where we will play the Fresno Grizzlies (Giants’ AAA affiliate) for the next four days and it is a nice park.  The pressbox is on top and the seats are modern and I hope to see more from the inside.  The grass is well-manicured and I think the ballpark will help revitalize downtown Fresno in many ways.

Fresno is also the hometown of Hall-of-Fame Pitcher Tom Seaver, who went on to win 311 games, three Cy Young Awards and a World Series Ring in his illustrious career.  Tom attended Fresno State College in town before transferring to USC and then on to his pro career. 

Fresno also has a casino and a few museums, but I haven’t had a chance to visit the museums yet  After Fresno, the Sounds head to Sacramento, the State Capitol, where we play four games with Oakland’s top farm club, the Sacramento River Cats.   I will get to more about Sacramento later on.

Well, tonight, it is Game 1 of the four-game set between the Sounds and the Grizzlies.  Lefthander Chuck Lofgren gets the nod for the Sounds against Grizzlies’ righthander, Joe Martinez.  Grizzlies had some good prospects in the likes of Joe Borchard and Buster Posey.  I know that Lofgren is glad to be back in California since he is from the Bay Area.  He grew up North of Fresno, in San Mateo and that is just south of San Francisco.  I know that a number of friends and family members of Chuck’s family will be in town and in Sacramento.

I will have the call tonight at 8:50PM Central Time over www.nashvillesounds.com.  If any of you wonder why a late start, remember it is a two hour difference.  Anyway, hope all of you have a great evening and the remainder of the week.  Thank you as always for tuning in! 

Last night was a frustrating night for the Sounds.  There was good news and bad news.  The good news was that the rain that had plagued Nashville much of the afternoon had subsided.  The bad news was that the Sounds let one slip away.  After converting successfully on his first twelve save opportunities this season (and 21 dating back to last year), Sounds’ reliever Chris Smith proved that he is only human after all.

Coming into the ninth with Nashville ahead 3-1, Smith proceeded to give up two home runs: one was a two-run shot by Tacoma First Baseman Mike Carp inside the right field foul pole to tie up the game at 3-3, but then Third Baseman Matt Mangini drove in the eventual game winner for the Rainiers when he blasted a shot over the right-centerfield wall.  The Sounds could not score in the ninth against former Washington Nationals Reliever Chad Cordero and the Sounds lost 4-3.   Originally, Carp was not supposed to be in the starting lineup, but he was a last minute change and the changed proved to be a good call for Tacoma Manager Daren Brown.  I might have mentioned that I was with Daren when he was the manager for the Class AA San Antonio Missions back in 2006, when they were a Double-A farm club for the Seattle Mariners then.  I was the San Antonio broadcaster for a decade and I enjoyed my relationship with Brown and still do, even though we are now on opposite sides.  He was the only person I was really happy for last night because you always want to see nice guys do well.  Of course, I was frustrated by the loss, but life goes on and tonight is a new night and a new team in town.

The only thing that is NOT new to me regarding the Portland Beavers are the names and faces of many of their players.  It was only last September when I was still broadcasting for the Missions (having already been affiliated with San Diego) and they saw their season end with a playoff loss in Midland, Texas.  Terry Kennedy, the former All-Star Catcher, was the manager with Orv Franchuk and Steve Webber as his coaches.  Well, guess what?  They have been promoted to the Triple-A Beavers and they will be in town for the next four days.  Guys like Craig Cooper,  Matt Buschmann and Mike Baxter (whom both attended Vanderbilt University) are among the players who were with me in San Antonio the last couple of years and are now in AAA.  I want to let people know that I definitely want to see the Sounds win.  However, having said that, I still have an emotional attachment to a lot of the Beavers since I rode the busses with them, interviewed them, stayed in the same hotels as them and saw them continue to vault up the ladder in the Padres’ organization.  You can’t help but want to see these guys still play well since I was once with them.  You develop great relationships with the players who are with you and you can’t help but pull for them.  That’s what makes a series like this become difficult sometimes.  Since they are in the enemy uniforms, I can’t pull for them to win, but I want them to continue to develop so they will get a chance to play in the major leagues with the Padres or any other team for that matter.  Naturally, I want to see my Sounds players continue to flourish as well.

I also continue to develop great relationships with my new colleagues, the other broadcasters in the PCL (some whom I have known before I got here to Nashville).  Rich Burk, the longtime Beavers’ announcer, is one guy I know.  We’ve never met face to face, but we used to exchange e-mails while I was working for the Padres’ AA affiliate in San Antonio and he with the current Triple-A team in Portland.  The only thing I will regret is that I won’t see the Portland ballpark.  After this year, the Beavers must move to a new ballpark/location since their longtime home, Civic Stadium, is being converted into a soccer-only facility.  It’s a shame because Portland has been in the Pacific Coast League forever!  I keep hearing that Tucson (a former longtime member of the PCL) may be a feasible site for the franchise, but perhaps temporary and I heard the club may move to Southern California to be near the parent club, the San Diego Padres.  Only time will tell.  Since this franchise will host the Sounds next year, it’s just too bad I won’t see one of the most historic parks in the PCL as well as all of minor league baseball.  I wish the franchise the very best.

Just like the Sounds/Brewers, I’ve had a very good relationship with the Padres and I wish BOTH organizations the very best.  I will just continue to broadcast like a professional and not let my personal feelings get in the way for either side.  Just always have to report and let the game be the story.  That has always been my broadcasting philosophy.

Tonight, it is Chuck Lofgren and former Brewer farmhand and former SA Missions colleague Will Inman pitching in tonight’s game for Nashville & Portland respectively.  Both pitchers are great young prospects and I wish both Chuck and Will the very best.  The game will start at 6:35PM and there will be fireworks after the game.  Come on out if you have not formulated your plans for tonight yet.  Otherwise, tune in to yours truly at 6:30PM on 104.5 The Zone and on nashvillesounds.com.   Again, best of luck to both teams and we will see what unfolds from here.

Last night, I witnessed and broadcast one of the best pitched games by a Nashville Sounds pitcher this year.  The pitcher’s name is Chris Capuano and here was a guy who won 18 games for the Milwaukee Brewers one year (2005).  Here is a guy who has also endured two “Tommy John” surgeries on his left elbow and many wondered if he would ever pitch again?  Well, last night, I think I got the answer and I believe that he WILL continue to pitch as long as he stays healthy.

After posting a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA at Class A Brevard County in the Florida State League, Capuano was promoted to Triple-A Nashville and his seasonal debut with the Sounds was the perfect script for a great comeback.  Chris hurled eight strong innings last night and I thought he could have completed the game.  Of course, the Brewers had him on a pitch count and considering the circumstances that Capuano has dealt with, I can totally understand why Milwaukee has been careful with him.  He spotted his fastball where he wanted it to go and he showed the poise and presence of a major league pitcher.  Capuano received help when his batterymate, Catcher Jonathan Lucroy, set the tone early when he crushed a three-run homer to give the Sounds a 3-0 lead and that was all the runs that Capuano would need as the Sounds clobbered the Tacoma Rainiers, 8-0 last night after being blanked 4-0 by Tacoma starter Steven Shell the day before. Capuano allowed just three hits while walking only two and striking out five in his eight solid innings of pitching.

Reliever Zach Braddock also showed the form on why he is a top pitching prospect in the Brewers’ system.  After being shelled for eight runs in one inning against the Isotopes in a 15-12 loss in Albuquerque last Sunday, Braddock finished out the game by striking out the side despite giving up a run.  What I admire about Braddock was that he did NOT let his previous performance get him down.  Zach did not allow an earned run prior to getting shellacked last Sunday and he just showed his resiliency by pitching with the outstanding stuff he has to be a big leaguer. 

So far this year, the Sounds pitching staff has been very good, particularly the bullpen.  The Nashville relief corps has had its moments, but overall, the bullpen has been solid and reliable.  Pitching Coach Rich Gale has been an outstanding mentor and teacher for these Sounds pitchers. 

Tonight, the Sounds look to make it three out of four against Tacoma here at Greer Stadium.  For those youngsters interested in a special souvenir, don’t forget that tonight is Kids’ T-Shirt night.  The first 1,000 youngsters, ages 12 and under, will receive a free Sounds’ T-Shirt, courtesy of First Bank.  Gametime is at 7:05PM.  This will be the last game between the Sounds and the Rainiers this season, unless both of these teams meet in the post-season playoffs. 

I encourage everyone to keep coming out and supporting this outstanding Sounds team, which is in first place in the Northern Division of the PCL’s American Conference.  If you cannot make it out to the game, then I will have the radio broadcast at 7:00PM Central Time over 104.5 The Zone (WGFX-FM) and at nashvillesounds.com.  If you can make it to the game, then bring your portable radio along and I am sure that I can be great company for you.

See you tonight at the ballpark!