The Zephyrs are flashing back to the old days when starting pitchers finished what they started. For the first time in more than a decade, Z's pitchers tossed back-to-back complete games. Sean West went the distance in a 1-0 shutout of Memphis on Tuesday, and Rick VandenHurk came within two outs of a shutout last night before settling for the complete game in the Zephyrs 10-1 romp.

The last time the Z's had consecutive complete games was June 9-10, 1999, when Bob Scanlan pitched six innings in a 3-1 loss at Vancouver in the second game of a doubleheader, and Wade Miller pitched all nine innings the next day in a 6-1 win. We'll leave it to readers to discover the last time the Zephyrs had back-to-back complete games that weren't on Canadian soil.

Tonight's lineup as Brian Lawrence attempts to make it three in a row:

LF Cousins
CF Maybin
1B Lamb
3B Luna
2B Richar
RF Carroll
SS Dawkins
C   Hatcher
P   Lawrence

The big news around here was the freakish injury suffered by former Zephyr and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan. Who knew pie throwing was so dangerous?

The subsequent promotion of Logan Morrison to the Marlins was a bittersweet result of the injury, but it was nice to see LoMo collect his first big league hit last night in San Francisco.

Tonight's lineup:

LF Cousins
CF Maybin
2B Barden
3B Luna
1B Saccomanno
RF Carroll
SS Dawkins
C   Hatcher
P   VandenHurk

The Zephyrs have won each of the first two games coming off the All-Star break, and have now beaten Memphis in five out of six meetings this season. Logan Morrison is day-to-day after fouling a ball off his foot in the eighth inning last night, and is being held out of the starting lineup tonight:

LF Cousins
2B Richar
SS Dawkins
3B Luna
CF Petersen
1B Saccomanno
RF Carroll
C   Wilson
P   West

Gookie Dawkins was one of several Zephyrs interviewed for an ABC-26 story on the team's humorous handshake rituals in the dugout during games, and showed up for the interview sporting a new cap:

Not to purposely make back-to-back entries about Logan Morrison, but Baseball America released its midseason prospect rankings today, and the Zephyrs' first baseman was listed 16th in all of Minor League Baseball, up four spots from his preseason ranking. According to the publication, Morrison is "as polished a hitter as there is in the minors, with gap power and excellent plate discipline."

LoMo and the Zephyrs return to action to open the second half of the season tomorrow night at the Shrine against the defending PCL champion Memphis Redbirds.

Tune in to MLB Network tonight to see Hector Luna participate in the Triple-A All-Star game, or listen to the voice of the Z's, Tim Grubbs, call the action live on Westwood One Radio.

Zephyrs first baseman had a solid effort in the Futures Game last night in Anaheim, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks in the 9-1 U.S. victory over the World team.

Morrison laced a single into right-center field to lead off the bottom of the second against Yankees prospect Hector Noesi. He walked in two subsequent at-bats and played a flawless first base to help the U.S. to their first Futures Game win since 2006.

LoMo will be sticking around Anaheim tonight to take in the Home Run Derby, and according to him, is hoping Marlins All-Stars Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez can get him on the field for all the action.

The All-Star break festivities continue Wednesday in Allentown, PA, when Hector Luna will try to help the Pacific Coast League All-Stars over the International League squad in the Triple-A Midsummer Classic.

The Zephyrs welcome back Scott Strickland to the roster today.  He pitched in 3 games with the Marlins allowing 2 runs on 5 hits in 2 innings of work.

The Z's continue the homestand tonight with a 7 pm game against the Omaha Royals.  New Orleans has won 5 of 7 meetings this year against the fightin' Cordaro's. 

 

The Zephyrs and Nashville conclude a three game set tonight on the 3rd of July.

Series is even at one.  The Sounds have won 5 of 6 in 2010. 

Donny Murphy was promoted today to Florida,  He joined the team in Atlanta.  He was batting .277 12HR, 35 RBI in 57 games.

Tim Torres replaces him on the Z's roster.  He was at AA Jacksonville.  266-10Hr-32RBI in 71 games for the 1st half division champs. 

The Zephyrs have added relief pitcher Armando Benitez to the bullpen.  He will be in uniform tonight.  He joins the team from the Newark Bears.

The 37 year old has 289 Major League Saves with seven teams.  His last MLB appearance was in 2008 with the Blue Jays. 

Here is tonights starting lineup vs. Oklahoma City.

CAMERON MAYBIN	CF
DANNY RICHAR	2B
LOGAN MORRISON	1B
HECTOR LUNA	3B
DONNIE MURPHY	SS
BRYAN PETERSEN	DH
BRETT CARROLL	RF
SCOTT COUSINS	LF
NEIL WILSON	C

Congratulations to Edwin Rodriguez, who has been named interim manager of the Florida Marlins. This is the second time in three years that a Zephyrs manager has been promoted to the big leagues midseason; in 2008, Ken Oberkfell was summoned by the New York Mets after the dismissal of Willie Randolph.