PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Zephyrs Fend off Sweep by Derailing Express

Published on May 31, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


Bryan Petersen delivered an RBI single with two out in the bottom of the seventh, providing the winning run as the New Orleans Zephyrs snapped a four-game losing streak and averted a sweep against the Round Rock Express, 2-1 on Friday night at Zephyr Field.

The game was scoreless into the sixth inning, when Round Rock broke on top courtesy of a solo homer by Robinson Chirinos off reliever Jordan Conley. The Z's quickly responded in the bottom of the frame on a line drive homer over the left field fence by Jake Smolinski, his third of the year.

Ben Lasater drew a leadoff walk from Johan Yan leading off the bottom of the seventh and moved to third with two outs on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Gutierrez and a ground out by Kevin Mattison, setting the stage for Petersen, who chopped Yan's first offering up the middle for the go-ahead single.

Chris Hatcher, who leads all of Minor League Baseball in saves, was called upon to record the final six outs, and encountered some trouble in the ninth after retiring the side in order in the eighth. Hatcher allowed a single and a walk with one out, but recovered to strike out Engel Beltre and set down Greg Miclat on a fly out to nail down his 16th save in 17 chances this season.

The Express, attempting to sweep a series at Zephyr Field for the first time, out-hit the Z's 11-5, but stranded 10 baserunners, had one runner thrown out at the plate and another caught stealing second.

Zach Phillips (2-0) was credited with the win after striking out the side in the seventh inning. Yan (1-1) suffered the defeat, allowing one run and one hit with three walks in two innings.

Zephyrs starter Doug Mathis labored through five scoreless innings, scattering eight hits with two walks and one strikeout, but lowered his season ERA to 2.81, seventh-best in the Pacific Coast League.

The Zephyrs travel to Des Moines for a four-game series with the Iowa Cubs beginning Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

Check out the New Orleans Baby Cakes Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 31, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central