Scrappy Z's get past Storm Chasers

The New Orleans Zephyrs generated just enough offense on Tuesday night, getting an RBI single from Bryan Petersen in the first inning and an RBI double from Ed Lucas in the third, and took their second straight meeting from the Omaha Storm Chasers, 2-1 at Zephyr Field.

Gorkys Hernandez walked to lead off the bottom of the first, then stole second and scored on a one-out single to right by Petersen.

Hernandez also jump-started the Zephyrs' other rally in the third, lacing a two-out single to left and scoring on a double by Lucas when the ball was slowed by the wall beyond the Omaha dugout.

With scheduled Zephyrs starter Brad Hand promoted to Miami earlier in the day, A.J. Battisto was called upon to make his second emergency start of the season, and again performed well to keep the Zephyrs ahead. Battisto worked 3 2/3 innings and allowed just one run, a sacrifice fly by David Lough in the top of the third.

Omaha had chances throughout the game, but went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 baserunners. The Storm Chasers left the bases loaded in the fourth when Jordan Smith relieved Battisto and got Willy Tavares to fly out on the first pitch of the at-bat to end the scoring threat.

Smith (2-1) surrendered five hits but kept Omaha scoreless through 2 1/3 innings to earn the win. Chris Hatcher pitched a flawless ninth inning to record his league-leading ninth save.

Justin Marks (0-1), making his season debut with the Storm Chasers, took the loss after giving up two runs and four hits in four innings. He struck out three and walked four.

The Zephyrs and Storm Chasers play the third game of the series on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.