Bulls fall to Bats, 2-1
Published on September 10, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - Durham went ahead early but could not hold on as Louisville beats the Bulls 2-1 in Game Three of the Governors' Cup Playoffs on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Alex Cobb put together one of the best Bulls pitching performances of the 2010 season, but allowed a two-run homer to Todd Frazier in the seventh which proved to be the difference as the Bats take a 2-1 series lead. The two teams do battle again tomorrow night at the DBAP, with Durham needed a win for their record-setting season to continue.
The Bulls jumped ahead in the first inning against Bats right-hander Matt Klinker, as JJ Furmaniak singled to lead off the inning. Elliot Johnson beat out an infield hit to third base, as Furmaniak hustled into an uncovered third base to put men at the corners with nobody out. Johnson stole second base, and Devin Mesoraco's throw sailed into center field allowing a run to score. Justin Ruggiano walked to put men at first and second, but Klinker got out of the inning without any further damage and keeping the Bulls lead at one.
Neither team would cross the board again until the seventh inning, as Alex Cobb stifled the Louisville offense in his Triple-A debut. The right-hander did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, when a tapper out in front of the mound by Mesoraco snapped a string of 12 consecutive hitters set down and gave the Bats their first hit. Cobb got out of the inning unscathed, striking out two of the next three he faced.
Cobb came back out for the seventh inning, but allowed a one-out hit to Wladimir Balentien to bring the go-ahead run to the plate in Frazier. The Bats left fielder got ahead in the count 1-0, before driving a pitch over the wall in dead center field to give Louisville the lead. He would depart one batter later, leaving after 6.2 innings of work, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out 10 Bats hitters. It was just the third time this season a Bulls starter has struck out 10 or more, joining Jeremy Hellickson (May 14) and Virgil Vasquez (July 4).
The Bulls had chances to score in the eighth and ninth innings, but could not push the tying run across as the Louisville bullpen combined to work 3.2 scoreless innings on the night.
In the eighth inning, Chris Richard doubled to left-center field with one out off Daniel Ray Herrera. Joe Dillon popped out, and Leslie Anderson walked to put the go-ahead run aboard with two-out. Jared Burton came out of the bullpen to face Angel Chavez, who flied out to the base of the left center field wall to quell the Bulls rally.
In the ninth, Furmaniak walked and stole second base with two outs against Burton, but the Bats right-hander got Elliot Johnson swinging to end the threat and put the Bulls one game away from elimination.
The Durham offense finished the night 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 men on base.
The two continue the series tomorrow, as RHP Paul Phillips (1-0 1.69) hopes to keep the Bulls season alive against LHP Ben Jukich (7-4 3.90) for Louisville.
International League Stories from September 10, 2010
- Bulls fall to Bats, 2-1 - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Announce Installation of New Field Drainage System at Coca-Cola Field - Buffalo Bisons
- Active Military, Police, Fire and Medical Personnel Get Free Tickets to Playoff Game - Durham Bulls
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
