VandenHurk, bullpen notch shutout

For the second night in a row, the New Orleans Zephyrs relied on strong pitching as well as the long ball, defeating the Round Rock Express 2-0 on Friday at Zephyr Field.

With the win, New Orleans is now 2-0 in the 2010 campaign.

Left fielder Jason Lane started the Z's scoring in the bottom of the second with a home run to left-center field. The homer, Lane's first of the season, came with two outs against Round Rock starter Gustavo Chacin.

The Zephyrs would add to their lead in the sixth inning, as Bryan Petersen, celebrating his 24th birthday, scored on a Logan Morrison infield single. Morrison also had the game-winning RBI single in Thursday's 2-1 victory.

New Orleans starter Rick VandenHurk pitched six scoreless innings, surrendering five hits and striking out two before giving way to the Z's bullpen. On the heels of Ryan Tucker's six shutout frames last night, Zephyrs starters have tossed 12 scoreless innings to begin the season.

Relievers Taylor Tankersley, Brett Sinkbeil and closer Scott Strickland combined for three scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits. Strickland picked up his first save of the year, after letting a 1-0 lead slip away in the ninth last night.

For the Express, Chacin took the loss after allowing one run and three hits in three innings. Chacin gave way in the fourth inning to Polin Trinidad, who allowed one run on two hits in four innings. Casey Daigle threw a perfect eighth inning in relief of Trinidad.

The two teams will meet again Saturday at 6:00 pm for game three of the four-game tilt. Brian Lawerence is scheduled to take the hill for the Zephyrs, while southpaw Andy Van Hekken is set to throw for the Express.