Bulls Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short At Norfolk, 5-4
July 11, 2010 - International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
(Norfolk, VA) Justin Ruggiano's three-run homer in the ninth keyed a four-run rally, but the Bulls fell just short in a 5-4 loss to Norfolk on Sunday. Norfolk salvaged the last of four games against the Bulls to end a four-game Durham win streak.
Fernando Perez started the rally with a walk, and he went out to third on a one-out single to right by J.J. Furmaniak, who extended his hit streak to nine games. Ruggiano followed with an opposite field homer off Pat Egan, Ruggiano's 10th homer of the year, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Dan Johnson then hit a ground-rule double to dead center, chasing Egan. Closer Dennis Sarfate came in, and allowed an RBI single to Dioner Navarro, making it a 5-4 game. Sarfate settled down and got Chris Richard to hit into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Durham had collected just three hits entering the ninth inning against three pitchers, Armando Gabino (5-0), Alberto Castillo and Egan.
Norfolk took the lead in the third against Carlos Hernandez (6-5). The Tides put together three straight singles, the last by Robert Andino plating a run. Jeff Salazar walked to load the bases, and RBI groundouts by Nolan Reimold and Rhyne Hughes followed for a 3-0 Tides advantage. The groundouts started a string where Hernandez retired 12 straight Norfolk hitters.
Hernandez left with a runner at second and one out. Joe Bateman struck out Jonathan Tucker, but Matt Angle delivered a run-scoring single to right-center. Angle then stole second and came home on Andino's broken-bat blooper to center, in what turned out to be the deciding run.
The Bulls still enter the three-day All-Star break at 55-35, tops in the International League, and a nine-game lead over Charlotte in the South Division. The Bulls play a four-game home-and-home series with the Knights on Thursday. RHP Richard De Los Santos will be on the mound. Coverage on 620 the Buzz begins at 6:50, with first pitch at 7:05.
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