Z's drop series opener 3-2

The New Orleans Zephyrs (7-6) dropped the opening game of their eight-game homestand to the Albuquerque Isotopes (7-6) 3-2 on Tuesday night from Zephyr Field.

Zephyrs starter Matt DeSalvo allowed three runs (two earned) over 3.1 innings, while scattering three hits and four walks. With the loss, DeSalvo drops to 0-2 on the year.

In the top of the first inning, DeSalvo allowed a bases loaded walk as Isotopes' Jamie Hoffman plated the games first run. In the bottom of the first, Emilio Bonafacio led off with a double and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Hector Luna.

The Z's would take their first lead in the second when pitcher Matt DeSalvo connected for a RBI single, plating catcher Brad Davis. But the Isotopes would quickly rebound.

Albuquerque left fielder Michael Restovich had a RBI single, scoring Slidell native Xavier Paul to tie the game at two. In the top of the fifth, the Isotopes would take the lead for good, as Ivan DeJesus reached on an error by the Z's third baseman Luna scoring catcher J.D. Closser.

Albuquerque starter Josh Lindblom picked up his first win, pitching six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out seven. Reliever Luis Ayala earned his first save of 2010, pitching a perfect bottom of the ninth.