Zephyrs three-run rally sinks the Chasers

Danny Duffy gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Omaha, Neb. – The New Orleans Zephyrs rallied for three runs with two outs in the top of the seventh inning Thursday night, knocking off the Storm Chasers 7-5 in front of 7,766 fans at Werner Park. The late surge took the luster off the one-night return of Danny Duffy, who pitched six innings in his first Triple-A start since early May.

Duffy, 22, used just 78 pitches in a tune-up start before he makes his expected return to the Kansas City rotation next week. He allowed four runs on seven hits in his six innings of work, striking out five without walking a batter. He now has a 48-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 42.0 innings this season with the Chasers.

Up 5-4, reliever Kevin Pucetas (5-5) came within one strike of getting out of the seventh, but a looping double to right-center off the bat of Joe Thurston tied the game at 5-5. After a walk to Vinny Rottino, Mike Cervenak doubled to the left-center gap, scoring both runners and giving the Zephyrs their winning margin. In the previous inning, Duffy got two quick outs before Matt Dominguez took him deep to left, trimming the Omaha lead to 5-4.

Six Omaha hitters put on multi-hit performances in this one, including David Lough (3-for-5) and Lorenzo Cain (3-for-4). As a team they collected eight singles, five doubles and a triple, including one apiece from Lough, but they were just 5-for-17 with runners in scoring position and grounded into three double plays. The Chasers have now hit into 20 twin-killings in 11 July games, including 10 in their last four contests.

The New Orleans bullpen was effective Thursday after being a weak link in its previous meeting with the Chasers July 4-6. With dominant closer Jose Ceda (21st save) back in the mix, the Zephyrs finished off the Omaha offense with 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball, striking out four without issuing a walk. They also took advantage of a baserunning miscue, when Manny Pina was caught between third and home during Jarrod Dyson’s two-out, eighth-inning double that would have put the tying run into scoring position.

Second place Memphis lost to Round Rock, so Omaha maintains its 1.5 game lead in the PCL American North.

Omaha and New Orleans will return to Werner Park for game two of the four-game, post-All-Star Break series Friday night. It will be a special 6:35 p.m. first pitch. Country music artists Jack Ingram and Heidi Newfield will perform in concert after the game.