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Zephyrs use 13-run frame to rout 'Birds

Collect 10 hits, three three-run homers in team-record inning
June 19, 2010
The New Orleans Zephyrs used a 13-run fourth inning to blow past the host Memphis Redbirds on Friday night, pounding out 17 runs on 20 hits in a 17-3 win.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Z's.

New Orleans set a franchise record with 13 runs in the fourth, falling three runs shy of the Pacific Coast League mark set by Salt Lake against Vernon on Aug. 18, 1923. The Zephyrs took advantage of 10 hits -- three of them coming in the form of three-run homers from Brad Davis, Donnie Murphy and Scott Cousins -- and three walks in the frame.

Memphis retired the first batter of the inning, Logan Morrison, on a groundout to second before New Orleans roared to life. Nine of the runs came with two outs.

Hector Luna added a solo shot, his 12th, in the eighth inning. The Zephyrs went 11-for-19 with runners in scoring position and established season highs for runs, hits and homers.

Murphy led the hit parade, going 4-for-6 with a homer, double and four RBIs. Davis also drove in four runs, while Cousins and second baseman Danny Richar collected three hits apiece.

Even pinch-hitter Seth Fortenberry got into the act, delivering an RBI single in the eighth inning of his Triple-A debut.

New Orleans entered the game ranked 12th in the 16-team PCL with a .261 team batting average. Its 47 home runs were third-fewest on the circuit.

Zephyrs starter Brian Lawrence improved to 5-5, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on five hits over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked a pair.

Lance Lynn (4-5) bore the brunt of the damage for Memphis, yielding eight runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. Reliever Andrew Brown saw his ERA jump from 6.75 to 10.64 after he surrendered five runs on five hits, including two homers, and three walks while retiring one batter.

The Redbirds have been outscored, 34-6, during a three-game losing streak.