PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Comeback Falls Short in Z's 9-8 Loss

Published on May 17, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


Trailing 9-2 in the bottom of the eighth, the New Orleans Zephyrs mounted a furious rally that fell just short on Monday night, leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth in a 9-8 loss to the Sacramento River Cats.

The Z's benefited from an error by Sacramento third baseman Adrian Cardenas to score three times in the eighth, then continued the comeback in the ninth.

With one out, Mike Lamb singled home a run to draw the Z's within 9-6. After Hector Luna worked out a walk, Donnie Murphy laced a single to center to score another run. One out later, Danny Richar sent a chopper over the mound that shortstop Michael Affronti was unable to field, bringing the Zephyrs within a run.

Sacramento closer Sam Demel was then able to retire Neil Wilson on a fly out to left to end the game.

Early on, it was all River Cats, as Sacramento used both power and speed to build a seven-run advantage.

Leadoff hitter Corey Wimberly had three hits and two stolen bases, bringing his league-leading total to 18 for the season, and Josh Donaldson blasted a two-run homer as the River Cats scored three runs in the third and three more in the fourth to take command of the game.

Zephyrs starter Ryan Tucker last just three-plus innings, surrendering seven runs (five earned) on six hits to drop his fifth consecutive start.

Tucker (0-5) also walked four, including one with the bases loaded to bring in Sacramento's first run in the second inning. That tied the game at 1-1, after John Raynor had led off the bottom of the first with a double and scored on a single by Emilio Bonifacio.

The Zephyrs regained the lead in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Richar, who finished with three hits and three RBI, but committed a costly error in the next inning allowing Sacramento to score three times, with two runs coming on a double by Brett Harper.

The River Cats chased Tucker from the game in the fourth, following three consecutive singles. Harper also capped the three-run frame with an RBI single.

Sacramento starter Lenny DiNardo (2-5) pitched six innings, scattering seven hits and yielding two runs. He struck out seven and walked two. Demel recorded the final two outs for his fifth save.

The Zephyrs and River Cats end their four-game series on Tuesday with an 11:30 a.m. contest. Right-hander Brian Lawrence (2-3, 4.19) takes the hill for New Orleans, while Sacramento counters with righty Clay Mortensen (4-1, 4.60).

Check out the New Orleans Baby Cakes Statistics

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



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 17, 2010


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