Bulls Fall to Knights, 6-4
August 5, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - LHP J.P. Howell kept the Knights off the scoreboard until the sixth inning, but Charlotte rallied to overcome a 3-0 deficit and defeat the Bulls, 6-4 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Bulls were able to maintain their slim lead in the Wild Card race since Rochester and Buffalo both lost, but Richmond won to put the Bulls 2.5 games behind in the South division race.
With the game tied at four entering the top of the ninth inning, Thomas Collaro doubled to lead off and scored then go-ahead run on a sharp, two-out line drive hit by Jason Bourgeois that bounced off the glove of Bulls first baseman Wes Bankston. Bourgeois then stole second and scored on a throwing error committed by second baseman Elliot Johnson to put the Knights ahead 6-4. RHP Dave Aardsma held the Bulls scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to earn his ninth save of the season.
Charlotte starter LHP Andrew Sisco held the Bulls hitless until Jeremy Owens led the fourth inning off with a triple. Brent Butler drove him in with a single for the Bulls first run, and Justin Ruggiano followed with his 14th home run of the season to give the Bulls a 3-0 lead. The lead evaporated though in the top of the sixth inning when Tomas Perez hit into an RBI-ground out and Earl Snyder hit a two-run home run to tie the game at three. The Bulls took the lead back on a sacrifice fly from Joel Guzman in the seventh inning, but the Knights tied the game again in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly from Earl Snyder.
Howell worked seven innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out eight, while Sisco worked six innings and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven. RHP Charlie Haeger (5-11) earned the win, pitching the seventh and eighth innings and surrendering just one unearned run, two hit and a walk while striking out two. Despite not allowing an earned run, RHP Chad Orvella (2-2) took the loss after surrendering the two unearned runs and a hit in the ninth inning.
The Bulls have an off day tomorrow and will then travel to Columbus to face the Clippers for a two-game series starting Tuesday night with coverage on 620 The Bull beginning at 6:30PM. The Bulls will return home on Tuesday, August 14 to face the Charlotte Knights again 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.
International League Stories from August 5, 2007
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