Axelrod slows Express in 2-1 Zephyrs win

Dylan Axelrod pitched seven strong innings to get the New Orleans Zephyrs back on the winning track, beating the Round Rock Express, 2-1 on Wednesday night.

After consecutive losses to Oklahoma City dropped the Zephyrs below .500, the Z's took the series opener from Round Rock to notch their 12th win in the last 15 games.

Axelrod allowed a pair of hits in each of the first two innings, and former Zephyr Alex Burg gave Round Rock the lead with his two-out single in the second. Axelrod bounced back in the middle innings and retired eight in a row before Doug Bernier led off the seventh with a triple when center fielder Isaac Galloway lost the ball in the twilight, but Axelrod stranded the tying run at third to protect the one-run lead.

Axelrod (9-6) struck out five without issuing a walk to earn his team-leading ninth victory, and lowered his ERA to 3.60, seventh-best in the Pacific Coast League.

Austin Brice made quick work of the Express over the final two innings, retiring all six batters he faced to record his second save.

The Zephyrs provided Axelrod with all the run support he would need with runs in the second and third innings. Three straight singles with one out in the second loaded the bases for Francisco Arcia, whose grounder to first base tied the game.

Cole Figueroa led off the third inning with a double, and David Lough reached on an obstruction call. Destin Hood singled to load the bases, and Don Kelly's fly ball to right allowed Figueroa to score the go-ahead run.

New Orleans threatened to stretch its lead in the sixth and eighth, but bounced into inning-ending double plays each time. The Z's hit into three twin killings on the night to move into a tie with Iowa for the league lead.

Chi Chi Gonzalez (8-9) turned in a quality start, scattering eight hits and two runs across seven innings, but took the loss to end his four-game win streak.

The Zephyrs and Express continue the five-game series on Thursday at 7 p.m.