IL1 Durham Bulls

Bulls Explode For 12 Runs In Fifth, Win 15-5

Published on August 15, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release


Durham, NC - The Bulls entered the fifth inning down one run, but finished the inning with an 11-run advantage after sending all but two batters to the plate twice, as they trounced the Charlotte Knights for the fifth time in a row, 15-4 on Wednesday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Bulls maintained a one game lead in the Wild Card race as Rochester defeated Buffalo and pulled within a half game of South division-leading Richmond.

In the fifth inning with the bases loaded, Wes Bankston tied the game at four with an RBI-single, chasing starter RHP Lance Broadway (7-7) from the game. RHP Dewon Day entered the game, but failed to retire a batter as he walked Joel Guzman with the bases loaded, surrendered a two RBI-single to Jorge Velandia, and walked Elliot Johnson. With the score at 7-4, LHP Shaun Babula relieved Day, but did not fare any better. Jason Pridie cleared the bases with a double and Jon Weber hit a two-run triple to make the score 12-4. Evan Longoria then grounded out for the second out of the inning, but back-to-back RBI doubles from Raul Casanova and Bankston, and an RBI-single from Guzman, made the score 15-4 and ended Babula's night. RHP Jake Robbins faced just one batter as he was able to induce Velandia hit a soft grounder right back to him to end the inning.

Charlotte had started the game off strong, jumping out to a 3-0 lead with a solo home run from Jason Bourgeois in the first inning and a two-run home run from Casey Rogowski in the second inning. The Bulls mirrored the Knights performance though, responding with a solo home run from Casanova in the bottom of the second inning, and then tying the game in the third inning with a two-run home run from Jason Pridie. The Knights took the lead back briefly in the fourth inning with an RBI-single from Thomas Collaro before the Bulls offensive onslaught in the fifth inning. Rogowski homered again in the eighth inning to make the score 15-5.

Jason Pridie led the Bulls offense for the second night in a row, going two for five at the plate with a home run, five RBIs, and two runs. Ruggiano and Casanova both went three-for-four, while Weber, Bankston, and Guzman all went two for four. Johnson and Longoria were the only Bulls who failed to get a hit, but both reached base as Johnson drew three walks and scored two runs, and Longoria walked once and scored one run. Johnson, Ruggiano, and Longoria were the only Bulls without at least two-RBIs.

Bulls starter LHP Mike Prochaska worked 4 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four. RHP Steve Andrade (3-2) earned the win after relieving Prochaska in the fifth inning and pitching 1 1/3 innings, surrendering just two walks. Broadway worked 4 1/3 innings, but surrendered seven runs on eight hits and five walks while striking out three. Day left with a line of no innings pitched, three runs, a hit, and two walks. Babula pitched 1/3 of an inning, allowing five runs on five hits and a walk. Robbins finished the game, pitching the final 3 1/3 innings, surrendering just a hit and a walk and striking out one.

The Bulls will begin a two-game series with the Indianapolis Indians on Thursday night at 7 PM at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. For tickets, go to www.durhambulls.com or call the box office at (919) 956-BULL.

Notes: The 12-run inning fell just one run short of tying the Bulls Triple-A record for most runs in an inning. On May 13, 2000 the Bulls scored 13 runs in the seventh inning in a 24-8 win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

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International League Stories from August 15, 2007


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