The New Orleans Zephyrs' offense exploded for 11 runs on 13 hits in support of starter Brad Hand, who tossed eight shutout innings in a 11-1 rout of the Oklahoma City RedHawks on Thursday night at Zephyr Field.

Brad Hand held the Oklahoma City RedHawks to four hits over eight innings, leading the New Orleans Zephyrs to a, 11-1 victory on Thursday night at Zephyr field.

Hand (7-4) struck out six batters over a season-high eight innings, and is now 5-1 with a 1.65 ERA in nine home starts this season. The Zephyrs offense provided him with plenty of run support, scoring in five of New Orleans' eight innings of offense.

Donnie Murphy's RBI single started the scoring in the second inning, and a wild pitch gave the Z's a 2-0 lead. Murphy added another run-scoring single in the third, after Petersen had put the Z's ahead 3-0 with an RBI single.

Mike Cervenak blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning, extending the lead to 7-0, and later added a double, and Luke Montz sent his 16th long ball over the center field wall with two runners on in the seventh inning to put the Zephyrs up 11-0.

Nick Green went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Bryan Petersen went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.

Mike Hessman led off the top of the ninth with his Pacific Coast League-leading 27th home run off reliever Gary Glover to prevent the Zephyrs from recording their eighth shutout of the year.

Brian Bass (1-4) received his first loss of the season, allowing seven runs (four earned) off nine hits in four innings.

The Zephyrs and RedHawks will resume the series Friday at 7pm. Right-hander Omar Poveda will get the start for New Orleans, as righty Armando Galarraga takes the mound for Oklahoma City.