New Orleans has lost six of its last seven games, including four of five on the road trip.

Zephyrs starter Wade LeBlanc blanked the Cubs on four hits over seven innings, but the Zephyrs managed just two hits in eight innings against Rodrigo Lopez and Frankie De La Cruz, keeping the game scoreless into the ninth.

Luis Valbuena and Anthony Rizzo opened the inning with singles off Delaney (1-1), and an intentional walk to Ty Wright loaded the bases. Delaney got Josh Vitters to ground into a force out, but his 0-1 pitch to Alfredo Amezega was wild, and Rizzo sprinted home with the winning run.

The Zephyrs missed a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the eighth inning, putting runners at second and third with one out. But a missed sign resulted in Jake Jefferies getting caught in a rundown between third and home, and Chase Lambin struck out to end the threat.

LeBlanc struck out six in seven innings of a no-decision. Blake Parker (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win for Iowa.

The series resumes Saturday at 7:05 pm, with Zephyrs right-hander Tom Koehler facing I-Cubs southpaw Travis Wood.