PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Zephyrs 3 Grizzlies 1

Published on May 9, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


The New Orleans Zephyrs appear to be making a habit of rebounding from subpar starts with a splendid one.

Brian Stokes pitched 8.1 strong innings on Friday, and Fernando Tatis provided the Zephyrs with all the runs they would need on a three-run homer in the sixth, as the Z's won their third in a row over the Fresno Grizzlies, 3-1.

After Claudio Vargas bounced back from a four-inning start in Portland earlier in the week with a gem last night, Stokes did the same on Friday, falling two outs short of becoming the first Zephyrs pitcher in nearly four years to throw a complete game at home.

Stokes (4-3), who lasted just one-third of an inning in his last start, yielded one run on four hits, but was removed after surrendering a single and a walk with one out in the ninth. Jared Fernandez remains the last Z's starter to go the distance at Zephyr Field, when he tossed all nine innings against Albuquerque on August 31, 2004.

With Carlos Muniz taking a night off after notching saves in each of the last two nights, Willie Collazo was summoned to get the Zephyrs out of the jam. The southpaw did just that, striking out cleanup hitter Scott McClain and getting Nate Schierholtz to foul out to Tatis to end the game and earn his second save.

It was fitting that the final out landed in the glove of Tatis, as the Zephyrs third baseman launched himself into a tie atop the Pacific Coast League home run standings with his three-run shot in the sixth, his 11th of the year.

Fresno starter Nick Pereira had mostly eased through the first five innings before Jesus Feliciano and Michel Abreu hit back-to-back singles, setting the table for Tatis. Pereira (3-3) took the loss despite striking out eight in six innings, after allowing three runs on four hits.

Stokes finished the night with nine strikeouts, tying the New Orleans season high set by Ruddy Lugo on April 5 against Nashville.

The Zephyrs being a rematch of the 2007 PCL Championship Series Saturday night when they welcome the Sacramento RiverCats to Zephyr Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with LHP Adam Bostick opposing LHP Lenny DiNardo.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 9, 2008


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