The New Orleans Zephyrs started the second half of the season on the right foot, defeating the Memphis Redbirds 4-1 at Zephyr Field on Thursday night.

Wes Whisler picked up his first win as a Zephyr, following five scoreless innings in his second start of the year against the Redbirds.

Z's third baseman Hector Luna led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a single and scored on the next play, when Gookie Dawkins laced a double into the right-center field gap.

Dawkins moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Bryan Petersen, and scored on a throwing error by Memphis third baseman Kevin Howard.

The Zephyrs took advantage of another Memphis error in the eighth, scoring two insurance runs when pitcher Rich Rundles threw wildly to first, allowing Scott Cousins to score all the way from first. A sacrifice fly by Luna to deep center plated the Zephyrs' fourth run.

Scott Srickland earned his ninth save of the year, and first with New Orleans since June 13th, after a perfect ninth inning.

Memphis starter Lance Lynn dropped to 6-8, allowing two runs over six innings.

The Zephyrs and Redbirds continue their four-game tilt Friday night when righties Chris Volstad (0-0, 0.00) and David Kopp (0-4, 7.52) square off at Zephyr Field.