Game #57: Zs Lose 5-1

Starting pitching determined the outcome of today's series-concluding game in Iowa City, and unfortunately for the Zs, it didn't go as well for Brian Lawrence as it did a game ago.

Coming off a brilliant seven-inning performance against Omaha, Lawrence gritted through five innings against the I-Cubs today, giving up four runs and several hard-hit balls. Chad Tracy had a 4-4 day with two HRs, one coming off Lawrence and the other against Kasey Olenberger.

Although he's been inconsistent this year, the Zs are probably going to have to ride Lawrence out; Hunter Jones and Brad Stone have recently gone on the DL and Rick VandenHurk and Jorge Sosa are now toiling in Florida's bullpen, leaving the Zs with a makeshift rotation at best.

Metairie native and UNO product Thomas Diamond got the start against his hometown club and showed why he was once a first-round draft pick for Texas. Diamond shone in five innings, striking out eight and surrendering just two hits to a flat Zephyrs offense. The Zs mounted only one real threat -- in the 6th -- but the I-Cubs' John Gaub struck out Hector Luna with Logan Morrison on third after throwing two wild pitches, one of which scored the lone Zs run. Luna whiffed three times today with a runner in scoring position, a situation in which his performance has noticeably suffered this year.

Still, the Zs will return to Zephyr Field on Thursday for a series with last place Round Rock after splitting series on the road against a very good Omaha team and an I-Cubs squad with an excellent pitching staff. That said, your guess is as good as Mr.Z's as to who the Zs will be running out to the hill to start those three games.