PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Z\'s and \'Topes Split Doubleheader

Published on August 2, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


The New Orleans Zephyrs rebounded from a disappointing 3-2 loss in the opener of Sunday's doubleheader, responding with an 8-2 win in the nightcap to earn a split with the Albuquerque Isotopes.

The Z's and Isotopes met in stifling heat early Sunday evening, and neither team was able to muster much offense in game one. Albuquerque grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning against Zephyrs spot starter Adalberto Mendez when Jamie Hoffman singled home Russ Mitchell, who had doubled with one out.

After failing to cash in a bases loaded opportunity in the fifth, the Zephyrs jumped ahead with one swing of the bat in the sixth. Brian Barden reached on an infield single with one out, and Brett Carroll greeted reliever Cory Wade with a towering home run to left to propel New Orleans to a 2-1 lead.

But the Isotopes answered in the top of the seventh. With two out and a runner at first, Z's closer Scott Strickland walked J.D. Closser, and pinch-hitter Jay Gibbons, who .349 batting average ranks third in the Pacific Coast League, took advantage by lacing a single up the middle to score the tying run. The throw home by center fielder Scott Cousins sailed to the backstop, allowing Closser to score the go-ahead run.

It was the second consecutive blown save opportunity by Strickland (4-1), who had converted his previous 11 chances in a row.

Scott Dohmann navigated around a two-out walk in the bottom of the seventh to pick up his 11th save.

Albuquerque struck first in the nightcap, on doubles by Mitchell and Gibbons. But the Z's scored four times in the second inning against Bobby Livingston, who was making his Isotopes debut. Neil Wilson's two-run double to the wall in left-center field scored a pair of runs, and Cameron Maybin followed with a double down the third base line. Maybin then scored on a wild pitch.

The Zephyrs' second spot starter of the day, James Houser, helped his own cause in the third, delivering a two-out RBI single to boost the lead to 5-1.

Albuquerque pulled within a three runs on a RBI single by Elian Herrera but would be held scoreless in the remainder of the game, as Matt Peterson (2-0) earned his second win of the year in relief of Houser.

The Z's completed the doubleheader split by cushioning their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Gookie Dawkins launched a three-run homer, his seventh of the year, to give NOLA a 8-2 lead.

Livingston (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on nine hits in 2 1/3 innings.

The Z's and 'Topes continue their five game tilt tomorrow, as righty Nick Ungs makes his 2010 debut for New Orleans.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 2, 2010


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