New Orleans Zephyrs infielder Craig Matt hits a home run that gave the Zephyrs their only score, as the Portland Beavers handed the Zephyrs their fifth consecutive loss, 5-1, on Tuesday in Metairie, La. (Ray Tyler/The New York Times Student Journalism Institute)

METAIRIE — What started as a pretty day of baseball ended in a murderer’s row of inconsistent pitching for the New Orleans Zephyrs on Tuesday.

In front of a fairly empty stadium with sun-washed seats, the Zephyrs lacked the depth and run support to outlast the visiting Portland Beavers as they emerged victorious 5-1. The loss was the Zephyrs’ fifth consecutive loss, and their fourth straight loss to the Beavers. The Zephyrs’ record is now 14-25.

In the series Portland pitchers have retired the Zephyrs side in order 18 times.

What’s the problem?

Three players were injured. Dave Matranga (hamstring), Cameron Maybin (strained groin) and Michael Ryan (strained rib) all played hurt. Zephyrs manager Edwin Rodriguez said only 10 players on the roster are healthy. That has contributed to the team’s having problems winning at home, and going 4-15 this season.

To make matters worse for the Zephyrs, four pitchers scattered five runs on just seven hits, and their infield committed two errors. Meanwhile Zephyr batters left three men on base as the game ran 2:22, the shortest time all year.

“First it was the pitching, now it’s the hitting,” Rodriguez said. “That’s taking a toll on our hitting because there are only so many healthy players.”

Daniel Barone, one of the few healthy Zephyrs, turned in what could have been a winning pitching performance had there been better run support. In six innings Barone (2-4) surrendered two runs on five hits and struck out three.

Only four Zephyrs pitchers have lasted through the sixth this season.

“It was good to see Barone give us the game that he did,” Rodriguez said. “He needed that and so did our team.”

The Beavers’ three pitchers gave up only five hits. Zephyrs infielder Matt Craig was the only batter to score a run, smashing a home run over the center field fence off Lake Charles native Wade LeBlanc on a 1-2 pitch in the second inning. Craig was also the only Zephyr batter with multiple hits. More impressive, his home run came batting right handed and his base hit left handed.

LeBlanc, on a 40-pitch count, threw just two innings because of bicep tendinitis. His last start was May 9.

“You want to get your hits but you also want to win,” Craig said. “I’m disappointed we didn’t win.”

“It’s just the way the game goes. You would like to put more runs on the board, but you go through your ups and downs. We’re kind of at a down point because a few of our key hitters are injured.”

Up 3-1 heading into the ninth, the Beavers scored two runs and left one on base without a hit. Beavers pitcher Josh Banks pitched six innings with two hits and six strike outs on 65 pitches. He didn’t allow a walk.

“I knew I needed to go as far as I could and keep us in the game,” said Banks, who entered in the third inning with the Beavers up 2-1. “When I came in there was no room for error, so I didn’t want to give up a big inning.”

The Beavers edged the Zephyrs Monday, 3-2 in 12 innings. The Zephyrs have had only 14 hits in three games and have been outscored 16-7 in four losses to Portland.

“The bullpen pitched well the whole series,” Beavers manager Randy Ready said. “For those guys to sweep the series and throw a bunch of zeros up there showed we were able to take advantage of their offense.”