Martinez stymies Baby Cakes to extend scoreless streak

METAIRIE – Nick Martinez spun seven shutout innings of three-hit ball as the Round Rock Express blanked the New Orleans Baby Cakes on Friday night, 3-0.

The ‘Cakes were denied their first series sweep of the season, and lost for only the sixth time in their last 21 home games.

Martinez (4-0) gave up a single to Steve Lombardozzi leading off the game before striking out the next three batters. Following a leadoff single by Moises Sierra in the fourth, Martinez retired the final 12 batters he faced and finished with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Over his last four starts, Martinez has worked 24 consecutive scoreless innings.

Ryan Rua provided the only offense Round Rock would need with a two-run double to the base of the wall in right-center field in the second inning. Baby Cakes starter Mike Kickham (2-2) recovered to retire the next 13 hitters and gave up just three hits in six innings.

In the ninth, Willie Calhoun launched his 28th home run of the season and his fifth in 14 games since being traded to Round Rock to provide an insurance run for Tanner Scheppers, who put two runners on base in the bottom half but picked up his second save.

Eury Perez went 0-for-3 to end his nine-game hit streak.

The Baby Cakes travel to Memphis to open a four-game series starting Saturday at 6:35 p.m.