PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Bullpen Woes Continue as Z's Lose to Round Rock, 9-7

Published on July 4, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


The Round Rock Express scored five runs in the seventh inning and three more runs in the eighth to rally past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 9-7 on Thursday night.

The Express claimed three of four games in the series to send the Zephyrs to their sixth loss in seven games.

With the contest tied 6-6 in the eighth, five straight Round Rock batters reached base, highlighted by a go-ahead two-run infield single by former Zephyr Bryan Petersen. J.P. Arencibia added an RBI single for his third run batted in of the night, capping an eight-run outburst against a Zephyrs bullpen that owns a 6.64 ERA over its last 11 games.

New Orleans got a run in the bottom of the eighth and had the bases loaded with two outs before Roman Mendez struck out Mark Canha, and Nate Adcock worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save.

The Express capitalized on first-inning command issues by Zephyrs starter Adam Conley to grab a 1-0 lead. Conley walked two batters before a Ryan Rua grounder found the hole at second for a two-out RBI single.

New Orleans got a quick jolt of power in the bottom of the first from Jordany Valdespin, who homered for the second consecutive night, tying the score at 1-1.

Canha continued his hot hitting by ripping a two-run double into the left field corner with two outs in the third, following back-to-back singles by Danny Black and Josh Rodriguez, giving the Zephyrs their first lead. Canha is batting .380 over his last 33 games, ranking among the top five in the PCL in hitting, RBI, doubles and runs scored over that span.

Conley worked around a Jensen error at first base in the top of the fifth by striking out Jake Smolinski with runners at the corners and two outs, and the Zephyrs carried the momentum into the bottom of the frame.

Valdespin drew a two-out walk, then challenged the arm of Smolinski in center on a single up the middle by Canha and slid into third ahead of the throw, with Canha advancing to second. Jensen followed with a single to left to score both runners and hand the Zephyrs a four-run lead.

Conley was lifted with two outs in the sixth after issuing his sixth walk, but Rett Varner stranded two baserunners by inducing a pop out by Brent Lillibridge. Conley gave up just two hits with two strikeouts and has allowed only one earned run in his last 25 1/3 innings at home.

Varner loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, and Smolinski made the most of his chance to redeem himself by ripping a bases-clearing double down the left field line against Grant Dayton to bring the Express within a run.

Dayton struck out Petersen, but Arencibia launched a home run deep over the center field fence to complete the five-run rally and put Round Rock ahead, 6-5.

The lead was short-lived for the Express, as Black led off the bottom of the inning with a walk against reliever John Edwards, went to third on a single by Rodriguez, and scored on a chopper past first base by Valdespin to tie the game. New Orleans had the go-ahead run at third with no outs, but Edwards struck out Canha and Jensen and got Cox to line out softly to second to keep the score tied.

Despite the blown save, Edwards (1-0) was credited with the win in relief of starter Ryan Feierabend, who gave up five runs and seven hits in six innings.

Bryan Evans (5-6) was charged with the three runs in the eighth inning to take the loss.

The Zephyrs travel to Memphis to open a three-game series against the Redbirds on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

Check out the New Orleans Baby Cakes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 4, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central