Zephyrs top I-Cubs in rain-shortened pitcher's duel

Metairie, La. - New Orleans rode 7.0 innings of shutout baseball from starter Adam Conley as the Zephyrs (40-42) outdueled Iowa (42-40) 2-0 in a rain-shortened game in Pacific Coast League action at Zephyr Field on Sunday afternoon.

 

The game was called and made official with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning after a 33 minute delay.

 

Since scoring one run in the bottom of the eighth inning against Round Rock on Friday night, Iowa has been held scoreless for 17.1 consecutive innings. It's Iowa's second longest scoreless stretch after being shut out for 18.2 straight frames at Nashville from May 6-7.

 

Conley (8-2) spun his second straight quality start on the season against Iowa, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven in a 7.0 inning complete game. With the win, the lefty moved into second place in wins amongst PCL pitchers.

 

The hard-luck loser was Donn Roach (7-2) who went 6.1 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk. It was the righty's sixth consecutive quality start with Iowa on the season and his first complete game of 2015.

 

New Orleans broke the 0-0 stalemate when Isaac Galloway took Roach's first pitch of the fifth inning over the left field wall. Conley singled to left field one batter later and eventually came around to score on Vinny Rottino's sacrifice fly to right field as Conley barely beat the tag at home.

 

Conley sailed through the final two innings, allowing just a walk the rest of the way to nail down the 2-0 win.

 

Kyle Schwarber broke up what was a perfect game with a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning. The catcher went 1-for-2 with a walk to lead Iowa who tied a season-low in hits with two. Taylor Davis provided Iowa's only other hit, a bloop single to right field in the top of the fifth.

 

Galloway went a game-high 2-for-3 with a double to go along with his solo home run to lead New Orleans. Juan Diaz went 1-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to five games during which he has gone 10-for-17 with two runs, three doubles, one home run and three RBI.

Iowa and New Orleans will play games three and four of their five-game set on Monday. The first pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT at Zephyr Field. Game two will start approximately 30 minutes following the completion of game one. The games can be heard live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and live-streamed at Iowacubs.com. The On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show will begin 4:35 p.m. CT.