Five-run eighth caps ‘Cakes comeback

METAIRIE – The New Orleans Baby Cakes rallied for five in the eighth inning to back Robert Dugger’s strong Triple-A debut, downing the Nashville Sounds 8-5 on Sunday afternoon.

The ‘Cakes batted around in the eighth on six hits and a walk, with each of the first four to step up to the plate eventually, turning around a two-run deficit into a three-run lead. Lewis Brinson began the frame with a double and scored on Yangervis Solarte’s single to draw within a run. With the bases loaded and one out, Eddy Alvarez roped a two-run single to right to put New Orleans in front for good.

Magneuris Sierra, who had earlier successfully stolen home, capped the rally by beating out an RBI single, and Tyler Kinley worked around a one-out walk in the ninth to earn the save.

All five runs were charged to Nashville reliever Jake Petricka (1-2), who took the loss.

Dugger allowed two runs on five hits and striking out six in 5 1/3 innings in the first Triple-A action of his career. Exiting with a 3-2 lead, Parker Bugg then allowed three runs on three hits in his 2 1/3 innings, allowing Eli White’s leadoff double against Dugger to score on a wild pitch on his first delivery in the contest. Bugg was charged with a blown save.

Brian Moran (2-1) relieved Bugg in the eighth with the bases loaded and two outs, and walked in a run before striking out Zack Granite, earning his second win following the Baby Cakes’ comeback in the bottom of the frame.

Austin Dean went 3-for-4 in his first start with the ‘Cakes since being optioned. Deven Marrero’s 11-game hitting streak came to an end with his 0-for-3 afternoon, but he drew a key walk as part of the eighth-inning comeback.

First pitch in the rubber match of the five-game set on Monday is at 7 p.m.