PCL1 New Orleans Baby Cakes

Zephyrs Stay Hot, Topple Omaha Again

Published on May 26, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release


Doug Mathis allowed two hits in seven shutout innings and the New Orleans Zephyrs remained hot, beating the Omaha Storm Chasers for the fourth time this weekend with a 5-1 win on Sunday afternoon.

The Z's have taken seven of the last eight meetings with Omaha at Zephyr Field over the last two seasons, and have won all four matchups this weekend.

Doug Mathis (2-4) held the Storm Chasers without a hit until the fifth inning, and finished with seven scoreless frames to win for the first time in eight starts this season. Mathis struck out five and walked four in his first outing since returning from the birth of his son last week.

Jake Smolinski had two hits and drove in three runs to lead the Zephyrs' nine-hit attack. His sacrifice fly capped a three-run third inning that began with Paul Gran's double into the alley in right-center field off Omaha starter Justin Marks.

Gil Velazquez followed with a single to plate the first run, and after a single by Kevin Kouzmanoff, Ben Lasater was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Bryan Petersen drew a walk to force in the second run.

Smolinski doubled home a pair of runs with a two-out double in the fifth, extending the New Orleans advantage to 5-0.

Mathis was on cruise control until the fourth, retiring 11 of the first 12 batters he faced. He escaped a jam induced by back-to-back walks with two outs in the fourth, then got into trouble in the fifth with a leadoff walk and a single by Willy Taveras, the first Omaha hit of the game. But Mathis again worked out of trouble, forcing Christian Colon to pop out with runners at the corners and two out.

The Zephyrs carried a shutout into the ninth when Zach Phillips allowed two singles and a walk to leadoff the inning, then forced in a run by walking Mitch Canham, the first run surrendered by Phillips in his last nine appearances.

Jonathan Albaladejo entered the bases loaded jam with no outs and struck out Taveras and Max Ramirez, then got the final out on Irving Falu's fly out to left to earn his second save of the series. Albaladejo has inherited three bases loaded situations with no outs this season, and has yet to allow a runner to score.

Marks (1-3) was charged with five runs and seven hits in five innings to take the loss.

The Zephyrs go after their first series sweep of Omaha since 2006 on Monday at 1 p.m. In honor of Memorial Day, the Z's are offering free admission to all active and retired military personnel and their families with military I.D.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 26, 2013


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