Zephyrs take series with 10-5 victory
The Z's exploded for 16 hits against the Round Rock Express, winning 10-5 to take three of four games in the season-opening series.
Zephyrs starter Hunter Jones kept the streak of solid starts in tact for New Orleans, throwing five innings, giving up one unearned run on one hit, while allowing five walks and fanning three.
The Z's struck for two runs in the first inning on RBI singles by Logan Morrison and Scott Cousins. The single for Cousins was his first hit of the season in nine at-bats. New Orleans would continue the scoring in the second and third innings, as Bryan Petersen singled home a run and Jason Lane scored on an error.
The Express rallied back in the sixth inning, scoring four runs off Z's reliever Brett Sinkbeil, who allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning. But the Zephyrs would waste little time in retaking the lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, pinch-hitter Donnie Murphy continued his hot hand at the plate, lacing a single to center field. With the hit, Murphy has safely hit in each of the first four games of the 2010 campaign. Petersen followed with a single, and Murphy scored on a throwing error, and Morrison then delivered his second RBI single of the afternoon.
New Orleans added three runs in the eighth inning, as Lane contributed a two-run single alongside a sacrifice fly by Cousins. On the day, six Zephyrs had multi-hit games, including three hits apiece by Lane and Cousins. Morrison, Lane and Cousins each added two RBI.
Taylor Tankersley picked up the win in relief, working 1 1/3 innings allowing just one hit, while fanning two. Kasey Olenberger picked up the save in two innings of work, also allowing one hit and striking out two.
The Express committed five errors on the day.
The Zephyrs will now travel for the first time in 2010 for a eight-game road trip. After playing four in Albuquerque against the Isotopes, the Z's will square off in Round Rock against the Express in another four-game tilt. First pitch on Monday at Isotopes Park is set for 8:35 pm CT, with the Zephyrs' Matt DeSalvo facing off against Josh Towers.