Bulls Blank Indians in 2-0 Victory
Published on August 8, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - The Bulls shutout Indianapolis 2-0 as they take three out of four games from the Indians to over the weekend. Aneury Rodriguez got the start and allowed one hit through 4.1 innings of work and Justin Ruggiano paced the Bulls offense with a 4-for-4 day as Durham improves to 71-43 on the season.
The Bulls struck for a run in the third inning off Indians right-hander Mike Crotta. J.J. Furmaniak reached on a throwing error by the shortstop Pedro Ciriaco, and stole second base to put a runner in scoring position with one out. After advancing to third on a groundout and an Elliot Johnson walk, Ruggiano came through with a base hit into left-center field to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
They added another in the fifth as Desmond Jenning was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a ground out and stole third to give the Bulls a scoring opportunity. It would be Ruggiano coming through again, as he brought home the second run of the game with a double into the right field corner to score the run. Ruggiano was tagged trying to stretch it into a triple, but the Bulls still led 2-0 after five.
Rodriguez kept the Indians off the board in his 4.1 innings of work, striking out six but walked four. He walked the eighth and ninth hitters with one out in the fifth inning, and was replaced by right-hander Joe Bateman. Kevin Melillo struck out swinging for the second out, but a double steal put both runners in scoring position. Bateman got former Rays infielder Akinori Iwamura to fly out to left to end the threat and keep the lead at two.
Jake McGee came on for Bateman in the sixth, striking out five of the six batters he faced in two perfect innings of work, his first appearance since being called up from Double-A Montgomery. The left-hander struck out all five batters swinging, as his fastball registered as high as 97 mph on the stadium radar gun.
Ruggiano made it a 4-for-4 day with an odd play in the 8th inning. The Bulls right-fielder chopped a ball out in front of home plate and down the third base line. Indians catcher Luke Carlin dropped to his knees and blew the ball foul, but home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez awarded Ruggiano first base on a single. It was a season-high in hits for Ruggiano, and his 29th multi-hit game this season.
R.J. Swindle worked 1.2 innings scoreless innings, but a two-out single in the ninth by John Bowker brought the tying run to the plate. Winston Abreu came on and struck out pinch hitter Mitch Jones swinging, earning his 17th save of the season. It was the Bulls 14th strikeout of the day, and seals their 26th series win of the season.
The Bulls have an off day tomorrow before South Division foe Charlotte comes to town for a three-game set on Tuesday. Game time on Tuesday night is set for 7:05 p.m.
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