Z's shutout Redbirds in second consecutive contest

Metairie, LA - The Redbirds were shutout 2-0 by the New Orleans Zephyrs for the second consecutive day. With the shutout, Memphis has now been held scoreless for 26 consecutive innings. Their losing streak has now reached six games.

Kevin Mattison came to the plate in the second inning with runners on second and third, only to hit a towering pop fly half way between home plate and third base. Memphis third baseman Zack Cox called for the ball that began in foul territory, but as the ball drifted fair Cox was unable to get a glove on it and it fell for a two-run single, making the Redbirds starter Brian Broderick the tough luck loser.

The two runs ere all the Zephyrs needed as Hand (1-0) walked four and fanned ten batters in six innings. The bullpen added another three scoreless innings with Chris Hatcher working the ninth for his first save of the year. The Z's pen has now held opponents scoreless in their last 25.2 innings.

For the struggling Redbirds, they are hitless in their last 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Memphis was held to just four hits on the day, with Eugenio Velez' two knocks never leaving the infield.

Notes: The two pitching staffs combined for nine walks and twenty-three strikeouts.

Tonight's probables:
Memphis - RHP Joe Kelly 0-1, 2.25)
New Orleans - LHP Wade LeBlanc (-0, 2.57)