IL1 Durham Bulls

Bulls knock off Knights in eighth, win 6-3

August 4, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release


Durham, NC - The Bulls let their slim 2-1 lead slip away in the seventh, but two-out bases loaded-singles from Michel Hernandez and Elliot Johnson in the eighth gave the Bulls a 6-3 win over Charlotte on Saturday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Bulls' playoff rivals, Richmond, Buffalo, and Rochester, all won though, so the Bulls remain 1.5 games behind Richmond for the South division lead and first in the wild card race with a slight winning percentage advantage over Rochester and a half game lead over Buffalo.

Trailing 3-2, the Bulls loaded the bases with two outs when Wes Bankston doubled and Evan Longoria and Joel Guzman both drew walks. Hernandez drove in two with a single to center to give the Bulls a 4-3 lead, then Jorge Velandia walked to reload the bases before Johnson laced a single to center for two RBI, giving the Bulls the 6-3 lead.

Charlotte had previously taken a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning when Ernie Young hit a two-RBI single off LHP Jeff Ridgway (2-3). The runs were charged to RHP Steve Andrade though, so Ridgway eventually earned the win and had a pitching line of 1 1/3 innings, two hits, a walk, and two strikeouts. Young also drove in Charlotte's first run, which was a solo home run in the second inning. The Bulls' first run came off a solo home run from Justin Ruggiano in the fourth inning, and the Bulls took the lead for the first time in the fifth inning when the throw to third on a triple from Velandia rolled into the Charlotte dugout, allowing Velandia to score to give the Bulls a 2-1 advantage.

RHP Dewon Day (0-2) surrendered three of the four runs scored in the eighth inning on two hits and four walks in just 1/3 of an inning of work to take the loss. Charlotte starter RHP Lance Broadway had pitched well, working seven innings and surrendering just two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven. For the Bulls, RHP Mike Prochaska worked five innings and allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three and RHP Chad Orvella earned his 16th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bulls and Knights will conclude the two-game series on Sunday evening at 5 PM at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. For tickets, go to www.durhambulls.com or call the box office at (919) 956-BULL.

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