Bulls Rally Late But Gwinnett Has Last Laugh
Published on September 3, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - The Bulls staged a four-run comeback for the second consecutive night, but could not take the lead and fell 6-4 at the hands of Gwinnett on Friday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Omar Luna had three hits and Darin Downs tossed 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, but it was not enough as a bases loaded walk gave the Braves the lead in the eighth. The loss drops Durham to 86-54 on the season, and prevents them from having a chance break the all-time franchise record of 89 wins set in 1962.
Gwinnett broke through first, getting an RBI double by Barbaro Canizares in the first inning against Richard De Los Santos. They would build their lead to four in the fourth as Dan Nelson drove home three with a bases clearing double. It was the second big hit in as many nights for Nelson, who touched up the Bulls pitchers for four hits, a homer and six RBI over the two-game set.
After Braves starter Brandon Beachy went 6.0 shutout innings striking out eight, the Bulls offense finally broke through in the seventh against Gwinnett right-hander Michael Broadway. Singles by Joe Dillon and Omar Luna put a pair aboard for the top of the order. Fernando Perez followed with a single up the middle, scoring Dillon and putting Durham on the board. Furmaniak followed with a single of his own, and the runners advanced to second and third on an error by right-fielder Brent Clevlen. Elliot Johnson struck out swinging, but a passed ball by catcher Orlando Mercado allowed a run to score and Johnson to reach first. Justin Ruggiano grounded into a force play, beating out a potential double play and allowing Furmaniak to come across with the tying run.
The tie would not last long, as Gwinnett came right back to take the lead again in the top of the eighth. Jake McGee loaded the bases with two outs, before issuing a free pass to Antoan Richardson to bring across the go-ahead run. It was just McGee's second walk since joining the Bulls, and snapped a scoreless streak of 24.0 consecutive innings which dated back to his time with Double-A Montgomery.
They would add an insurance run in the ninth off Brian Shouse, as Canizares took the Bulls left-hander deep for a solo home run, his 13th of the season. The International League leader in batting average coming into the night, Canizares finished the night 3-for-4 and raised his average to .342 on the season.
Broadway retired the Bulls in order in the eighth inning, and Stephen Marek worked the ninth to earn his eighth save of the season. Durham finishes the season 9-12 against Gwinnett on the season, becoming just the second team in the International League the Bulls have a losing record against this season.
The Bulls close out their 2010 regular season with a three-game set against the Norfolk Tides. RHP Ramon Ortiz (0-1 4.86) takes the mound tomorrow looking for his first win since joining the Bulls. He will be matched up against LHP Zach Britton (3-4 2.98) for Norfolk.
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