Bulls Fail to Rally, Downed by Charlotte
Published on August 10, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - The Bulls lost an early lead and could not forge a comeback as they were downed by division rival Charlotte 5-4 on Tuesday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Durham offense left the tying run on base in two of the final three innings, falling to the Knights for the fourth time in their last five games at home.
Durham jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning off right-hander Lucas Harrell. A leadoff double by Desmond Jennings put a man at second, and Justin Ruggiano came through with a double off the wall in center to bring him across. It was Ruggiano's fifth hit in as many at-bats as he would go on to have another multi-hit performance, finishing 3-for-5 on the night.
The Bulls added another run in the third, as Desmond Jennings laced a single into left field that skipped past Jordan Danks and allowed Jennings to scamper all the way to third. Elliot Johnson followed with a bloop single that landed just out of the reach of three defenders in short center field, scoring Jennings and making it a 2-0 game.
Charlotte came back to take the lead in the top of the fourth off Bulls right-hander Brian Baker. Mark Teahan started the inning with a walk, and one batter later Jeremy Reed hit a two-run homer to right to tie the score at two apiece. Jordan Danks doubled with two outs and came around to score on a single by Brett Morel, giving the Knights a 3-2 advantage.
They would add another in the sixth, as a single and a walk gave the Knights a pair of base runners with nobody out. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position, and Morel came through with his second hit of the ballgame to extend their lead to 4-2. Darin Downs would come on to replace Baker, striking out a pair to end the inning without further damage.
Elliot Johnson started the seventh inning with a triple, putting the tying run at third with nobody out against Johnny Nunez. Ruggiano followed with an infield single off the pitcher, and Chris Richard was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After striking out Joe Dillon for the first out, Nunez got Leslie Anderson to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
In the ninth, the Bulls pushed across a run off right-hander Ryan Braun. Jennings walked and stole second with nobody out and Ruggiano brought him home with a single to make it 5-4. With runners at first and third with two outs, it was Anderson up again with a chance to tie the game. Braun got Anderson swinging with a slider inside, closing out the Knights victory and earning his 17th save of the season.
Baker was tagged with the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out four. After beginning the season 7-0, the right-hander has lost each of his last three decisions while allowing 16 earned runs over his last four starts.
The two teams continue their series tomorrow as RHP Virgil Vasquez (6-2 4.14) takes on RHP Matt Zaleski (3-4 4.50). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
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