The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 29

3 vww.tenne8seafi.com THE TENNESSEAN Thursday, April 5, 2001 7Q SPORTS Sounds lose season opener DESIGNED TO OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE. INCLUDING BUYER'S REMORSE. ANNOUNCING THE 30-DAY MONEY-BACK DISCOVERY ADVENTURE. By MAURICE PATTON Staff Writer MEMPHIS Struggles at the top of the batting order proved costly for the Nashville Sounds in last night's season opener, as they fell to defending Pacific Coast League champ Memphis 3-2 in the first game of the minor league season nationwide. For the Centennial Game, both teams and the four-man umpiring crew wore throwback uniforms, reminiscent of the early 1900s, to commemorate the start of organized minor league baseball in 1902.

Tike Redman, Warren Morris, Chad Hermansen and Craig Wilson the first four hitters for Nashville went a combined 1-for-15, reaching base just three times. The rest of the lineup didn't fare much better, as Humberto Cota accounted for the team's only runs with his two-run home run in the seventh inning off Red-birds starter Bud Smith that tied "The difference in the game was fundamental baseball," Sounds Manager Marty Brown said. "Smith got down the bunt, and Sam hit his a little too hard." As for the limited production by the lineup's top half, Brown said there's plenty of time. "I'm not going to read too much into that," he said. "Warren and Chad didn't have too many consistent at-bats in the spring; let's be a little patient with them And Smith pitched Tike pretty tough, threw him some breaking balls he couldn't lay off of.

"I thought it was a good game. I thought we pitched well. Sam got a little tired, got some pitches up in the (strike) zone late, but he threw well." RHP Mike Lincoln, who pitched at Tennessee, starts for the Sounds tonight as they open an eight-game homestand against visiting Calgary. The Cannons will counter with RHP Pat Ahearne. Game time is 7 p.m.

the game. "I just made good contact and the ball took off," Cota said. "We just coldn't get the big hit with men on base." Memphis answered emphatically in the bottom of the inning, with Luis Saturria hitting a lead-off homer against Nashville reliever Dave Pavlas. "We had been looking all game for somebody to get a big hit," said Sounds third baseman Rob Mack-owiak, who had two of the team's seven hits. "They came right back and got out on us.

There's nothing you can do about that." The Redbirds took a third-inning lead against Sounds starter Sam McConnell on Kerry Robinson's two-run single, a hit that was set up by Smith's sacrifice bunt. In the previous half-inning, McConnell attempted a similar play that resulted in a double play to kill a Nashville threat. 4.9 5.9 36 MONTHS 4S 60 MONTHS APR FINANCE APR FINANCE The vehic le experts call the unbeatable 4x4' has just become even more so. Because for a limited time vou can buy Mathews clears room for Carter a 2001 Land Rover Discovery Series II, drive it for 30 days or 1,500 miles and return it for a full refund if you're not completely satisfied. Which isn't likely, with luxury amenities like leather, dual sunroofs and a six-disc CD chancer.

And as if that isn't incentive enough, consider our equally compelling financing terms. 1 he 30-Day Money-Back Discovery Adventure. What's stopping you? What's more, at Land Rover Nashville we CTlfc cO specialize in The Andrews Experience, a n-r-r-inr IN LJ EZ. VV offering personal attention you EXPERIENCE just won find anywhere else So 'cT rnm I 3 nfl li i 1 1 and test drive The Andrews Experience today. guy like that, we couldn't have done anything better." The only arm Second-year quarterback Billy Volek has done all the throwing in the Titans' work on the field this week.

The sessions are running less than an hour, and there are just three tight ends, two wide receivers and no running backs to throw to. But with Steve McNair rehab-bing his shoulder and Neil O'Donnell not in town yet, Volek has a chance to refine his game in some real practice situations. "He threw well," tight end Frank Wycheck said. "It's good for him to get this one-on-one attention from offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and Craig Johnsoa the offensive assistant. He needs to work and he's out there and having fun with it, taking advantage of the opportunity." Even if O'Donnell joins the team next week, Volek will still do the bulk of the work.

Caravan: The Titans today will announce details and dates today for their annual caravan, which will hit 53 cities in the region over 11 days between April 23 and May 7. Paul Kuharsky covers the Titans for Tennessean. He can be reached at 259-8024 or pakuhaaol.com DISCOVERY SERIES II STARTS AT By PAUL KUHARSKY Staff Writer As part of their efforts to clear $1 million of salary cap room to fit Kevin Carter's new contract, the Titans extended the contract of their top backup offensive tackle, Jason Mathews. In what was to be the final year of his contract, Mathews was scheduled to earn a $750,000 base salary this year and would have counted $787,500 against the cap. A new deal that runs through 2004 helped the team clear about $210,000 in 2001 cap room.

Mathews will collect a signing bonus of $250,000 and then be set for base salaries of $477,000 this season, $750,000 in 2002, $850,000 in 2003 and $950,000 in 2004. The Titans had just $66,000 of salary cap room before they made their moves. They picked up another $836,000 by cutting four players they had signed to allocate to NFL Europe: defensive lineman Jesse Warren, running back Demario Brown, wide receiver Maurice Bryant and cornerback Wade Davis. The Carter trade became official yesterday, so he immediately accounts for $1 million. The Titans have roughly $112,000 of salary-cap wiggle room remaining.

ifs al right Defeasive end Jevon Kearse beamed yesterday when talking about getting to team up with Carter. "Last year, I got pretty accustomed to taking on double and triple teams," Kearse said. "Now with Kevin coming in here, they can't double- or triple-team me or they leave Kevin wide opea" Kearse has played extensively on the left side in his first two seasons, and while he will move around in some situations, he's now the starter on the right, with Carter on the left "I'm going to move to the right side, which is my natural side," he said. Tm going to just keep on going, there's not a lot of learning. Defensive end is defensive end." The trade for Carter was the hot topic yesterday as reporters were invited into the locker room following yesterday's passing camp session.

"They're bringing all these Gators in here, I don't understand that," said middle linebacker Randall Godfrey, a Georgia Bulldog. "It's good to have that caliber of player come in. I think our defense is only going to get better, even though we're missing three guys from last year Kenny Holmes, Denard Walker and Marcus Robertson really five counting coaches Gregg Williams and Jerry Gray. But I think we're going to get better." Said All-Pro cornerback Samari Rolle: "When we lost Jerry Gray, Kenny, Denard and Marcus, I was kind of discouraged. But signing a DISCOVERY LAND ROVER NASHVILLE Maryland Farms 615-986-6000 www.LanciRoverNas'hvilie.corr1 1 MASTERS! Trimmers Stflrtirm at 95 $149 A fiV' v.

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