Game #54: Zs Lose 10-4

The Zs were failed last night by an ineffective bullpen, particularly two pitchers recently demoted from Florida. It was their third loss in the last five games.

Hunter Jones made the start and survived 5 1/3 innings before the bullpen fell apart in the 6th and 8th innings. The recently demoted Burke Badenhop replaced Jones and gave up a hit, a walk, and a wild pitch before leaving with either a blister or a hand injury. Sinkbeil was left to clean up the mess and gave up two hits and two walks of his own. By the time the inning was over, Iowa had scored five runs and had a 6-1 lead.

Two innings later, the Zs called on lefty Dan Meyer, who was mysteriously awful out of Florida's pen this year after pitching effectively last year for the big club. Meyer gave up four runs, and between him, Badenhop, and Veras, appear to have three former major league reclamation projects trying to figure out if they can reclaim their stuff.

Iowa's Mitch Atkins continued a recent string of effective starts, inducing 8 ground balls against just 4 fly balls and striking out six. He surrendered just one run in his six innings.

Brad Davis stayed hot for the Zs, knocking out two hits including a two-run double.