PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Cunningham Powers Express Past Zephyrs

May 28, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


Aaron Cunningham hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and snapped an eighth-inning tie with a solo shot to lead the Round Rock Express past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 3-2 on Tuesday night.

The Zephyrs were held to two runs or fewer for the 22nd time in 51 games this season, and managed just five hits or fewer for the 12th time.

Cunningham first struck against Zephyrs starter Brian Flynn in the first inning, following a one-out single by Greg Miclat . He then connected off Minor League Baseball saves leader Chris Hatcher in the eighth for his second home run of the night and fourth of the season, breaking a 2-2 tie and providing Round Rock with the game-winning margin.

The Zephyrs had evened the score in the bottom of the seventh when Matt Downs belted his fourth home run of the year deep to left against reliever Yoshinori Tateyama . The home run was the first for Downs since April 25 and spoiled a strong effort from Express starter Scott Richmond, who went six innings and held the Zephyrs to one run and two hits.

Flynn settled down after the first-inning home run to Cunningham, and breezed into the fifth inning on just 40 pitches. The left-hander got some help from the Zephyrs' defense, which turned three double plays, and he worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning by striking out Miclat and retiring Cunningham on an inning-ending grounder.

Flynn worked seven innings and was charged with two runs and seven hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

The Zephyrs put the tying run in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the eighth when Bryan Petersen was hit by a Nate Robertson pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. But Kevin Kouzmanoff lined out to center, and Robertson retired Jake Smolinski on a ground out and Jake Jefferies on a pop foul to end the threat.

Kyle McClellan worked around a one-out single by Paul Gran in the ninth to earn his second save.

Robertson (1-1) was credited with the win by pitching 1 2/3 hitless innings, and Hatcher (1-1) took the loss.

The Zephyrs and Express continue the four-game series on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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