PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Velazquez, Hand Pace Zephyrs' Rout of Redbirds

Published on June 25, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


Gil Velazquez had four hits and a career-high six RBI, and Brad Hand struck out 10 batters over seven innings to lead the New Orleans Zephyrs to a 11-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds on Monday night at Zephyr Field.

Velazquez, who is in his 15th professional season, had never driven in more than four runs in a game until Monday. His single in the first inning scored Kevin Mattison, who had led off with a triple into the right-center field alley.

Velazquez came up with the bases loaded in the fifth and cleared them with a double into the left field corner, then laced a two-run double to left-center in the seventh inning to complete his career night.

The run support backed Hand, who for the second time this season carved up Memphis for 10 strikeouts. The southpaw fanned 10 Redbirds on April 11 for the first Triple-A victory of his career, and has now notched 26 strikeouts in 18 innings against Memphis this season.

On Monday, Hand encountered some trouble in the fourth inning. With a 3-0 lead and having retired the first nine batters he had faced, Hand allowed a leadoff double to Lou Montanez. Ryan Jackson reached on a bunt single, and Hand's errant throw to first allowed Montanez to score.

The Redbirds kept the rally going on a single by Matt Adams and a walk to Steven Hill to load the bases, and after Mark Hamilton grounded into a force out to drive in a run, Hand minimized the damage by getting Pete Kozma to pop out and catching Zack Cox looking for his fifth strikeout.

Memphis did not seriously threaten again, though Kozma hit a solo homer with one out in the seventh to slice the Zephyrs' lead to 8-3.

Velazquez quickly got the run back with his double in the bottom of the inning, and Mike Cervenak added his fourth home run of the season in the eighth, boosting his batting average to .380.

Rob Delaney worked two scoreless innings to close out the win for Hand (5-4), who allowed four hits and three runs in seven innings for his first win since May 29.

John Gast (4-2) took the loss for Memphis after yielding eight runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

The Zephyrs and Redbirds conclude the four-game series on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., as left-handers Wade LeBlanc and Tyler Lyons get the starts.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 25, 2012


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