PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Late Rally Sparks Zephyrs Past Omaha

May 24, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


Gorkys Hernandez hit a two-run in the bottom of the eighth inning, providing the tying and go-ahead runs as the New Orleans Zephyrs beat the Omaha Storm Chasers 6-5 on Friday night in a seesaw affair.

After squandering a four-run lead and falling behind 5-4 in the seventh, the Zephyrs got a leadoff walk from Jake Smolinski to spark the eighth-inning rally. With one out, Omaha called upon Michael Mariot, who walked Koyie Hill before Hernandez crushed a double over the head of right fielder Anthony Seratelli, scoring both runners.

Chris Hatcher retired the side in order in the ninth, giving the Zephyrs their first victory this season in 24 tries when trailing at the end of seven innings. Hatcher leads the Pacific Coast League with 14 saves.

Early on, it appeared as though New Orleans would have an easy go of things in the opener of a nine-game homestand . The Z's got to former LSU Tiger Ryan Verdugo in the first inning, as Hernandez roped a leadoff single up the middle, stole second and scored on a two-out double down the left field line by Kevin Kouzmanoff .

The Z's played small ball to double the lead in the third, when Hill singled to center to lead off and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hernandez, setting up Gil Velazquez's single up the middle to score Hill.

A one-out error by former UNO star Johnny Giavotella opened the door for another rally for the Zephyrs in the fourth, as Smolinski followed the miscue with a two-run shot to left.

Omaha had been held to two baserunners through the first four innings by Z's starter Jacob Turner, but began on the comeback trail in the fifth. Back-to-back walks set up a run-scoring ground out by Willy Taveras and an RBI double by Paulo Orlando, slicing the Zephyrs' lead in half.

The Storm Chasers crept within a run the next inning, putting runners at second and third with nobody out Turner retired Max Ramirez on a comebacker and struck out Seratelli before allowing a single to left by Chad Tracy to score one run, but Smolinski threw out Giavotella at the plate to end the inning and preserve the Zephyrs' lead.

The lead did not last past the seventh, however. Jordan Smith issued a one-out walk to Taveras, followed by a single by Orlando . One out later, Christian Colon ripped a two-run single to left-center field, giving Omaha its first lead of the game.

Turner produced his seventh consecutive quality start by allowing three runs and six hits in six innings, but did not factor into the decision. Dan Jennings (3-2) retired all four batters he faced, three via strikeout, to get the win.

Mariot (1-2) suffered the blown save and loss in relief of Verdugo, who pitched into the seventh inning and was charged with four runs - three earned - and eight hits in 6.2 innings.

The Zephyrs and Storm Chasers play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 24, 2013


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