Bulls Rally Not Enough To Overcome Knights Power
Published on July 16, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - A late rally was not enough as the Bulls fell to Charlotte 6-4 on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. A three-run ninth brought Durham back to within two, but they were not able to capitalize as they fall to 55-37 on the season.
The Charlotte offense got out to a five-run advantage against right-hander Virgil Vasquez, who takes the loss for the first time in seven starts on the season. Brett Morel had a solo homer in the third, and Luis Rodriguez followed later in the inning with a two-run homer of his own to give Charlotte a 3-0 lead. They would add two more in the fourth inning on a solo homer by Josh Kroeger and an RBI double by Rod Hudson.
Kroeger would go on to finish the night 4-for-5 with two runs scored, two doubles and a home run off the Bulls pitching, despite coming into the game with a .198 average on the season. He scored the Knights sixth and final run of the game on an RBI double by Tyler Flowers in the sixth inning.
Charlotte starter Jeff Marquez worked six innings allowing one earned run on two hits while walking a pair and striking out five. The Bulls loaded the bases against the right-hander in the fourth, but were only able to get one run when Chris Richard hit into a RBI force play. Dioner Navarro struck out looking to end the rally, and Marquez along with three Knights relievers retired 13 of the next 14 they would face heading into the ninth inning.
Dan Johnson broke a string of seven in a row retired with a one-out walk in the ninth inning off right-hander Ryan Braun. Joe Dillon followed with a two-run homer to left field, bringing the Bulls within three. Chris Richard doubled to center, and Dioner Navarro reached on a throwing error by the first baseman Kroeger, which allowed the fourth run to come across. With the tying run on first, Braun got Alvin Colina and JJ Furmaniak on strikes to end the game and hand Durham it's third straight loss and second in a row to start the second half of the season.
After dropping the first two games at home, the Bulls travel to Charlotte to complete the final two games in their four-game set. LHP Heath Phillips (6-6 4.29) looks to end the drought for the Bulls against RHP Matt Zaleski (6-5 3.66) for Charlotte.
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