PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Duarte Blasts Two-Run, Pinch-Hit Homer, Helping Z's to 5-3 Win

Published on July 30, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


Jose Duarte blasted a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the sixth, and Elih Villanueva worked six strong innings, helping the New Orleans Zephyrs to a 5-3 victory over the Iowa Cubs on Monday night at Zephyr Field.

The Zephyrs took a 1-0 lead in the first when Kevin Mattison led off with a single and scored on a double down the third base line by Gil Velazquez.

In the third inning, Velazquez singled to shortstop and was caught stealing second, but reached on an error by Alfredo Amezega in the run-down at second. Chris Coghlan capitalized on the miscue, doubling to center to score Velazquez and increase the lead to 2-0.

After Villanueva blanked Iowa through the first five innings, the Cubs got on the board in the sixth when James Adduci sent a solo shot over the left-center.

New Orleans rebounded in the bottom of the frame as Chris Aguila doubled off the right-center wall. With two outs, Chase Lambin reached on a throwing error by third baseman Josh Vitters, scoring Aguila. Duarte pinch-hit for starter Villanueva, drilling his first home run since April 8 with Jacksonville, for a 5-1 ballgame.

The Cubs got to reliever J.D. Martin in the top of the ninth when Dave Sappelt and Brian Esposito singled to left field with one out. Matt Tolbert reached on a throwing error by Martin before Aducci knocked in Sappelt and Esposito with a double to right field, forcing Martin from the game.

With the tying run in scoring position, Chris Hatcher entered the game and struck out Amezega for the second out. After a walk to Adrian Cardenas, Hatcher got Vitters to fly out for the final out, earning his 10th save of the year.

Villanueva (8-5) got the win, giving up one run on four hits in six innings.

Chris Rusin (7-8) took the loss for Iowa, giving up five runs (one earned) on seven hits, while fanning six over seven innings.

New Orleans and Iowa will conclude the series at 11:30am on Tuesday, as the Zephyrs aim for a season-best six-game winning streak.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 30, 2012


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