
Bulls Sweep Doubleheader against Stripers
April 20, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls swept the Saturday night doubleheader against the Gwinnett Stripers, by winning game one 11-2 and game two 3-2 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
In game one, the Bulls responded quickly to a leadoff home run by Gwinnett's Rafael Ortega. Nick Solak put the Bulls on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game up at 1-1.
In the fourth inning, Solak continued the scoring with an RBI double to make it 2-1. The Bulls got more runs from catcher Dashenko Ricardo, in his first game with the Bulls, on a three-run home run to open up the game by a score of 5-1.
The floodgates opened in the fifth inning, with three home runs by the Bulls to put the game out of reach. Jake Smolinski got things started with a three-run home run, before Jason Coats added his first on a solo home run. Andrew Velazquez ended the massive inning with his second home run of the season to increase the lead to 11-1. A late solo home run by Adam Duvall wasn't enough for Gwinnett and Bulls finished the game with an 11-2 win.
Ryan Merritt (1-1) earned the win with five innings of one-run ball, and Kolby Allard (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits over four innings.
Game two was a pitching duel, with the Bulls and Stripers combining for just seven hits and five runs. Elian Leyva got the start for Gwinnett, holding the Bulls in check over 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. The Bulls split the game between five pitchers, totaling 12 strikeouts and allowing just two runs on five hits.
Stripers infielder Jack Lopez got the scoring started with an RBI single in the second inning and Pedro Florimon added to the lead in the fifth inning with a solo home run to make it 2-0. The Bulls offense mounted a comeback in the sixth inning, loading the bases off Stripers reliever Corbin Clouse. Infielder Kean Wong delivered a clutch two-out, three-RBI double off the Blue Monster to put the Bulls in front for good.
Hoby Milner (1-0) picked up the victory in relief for Durham after spinning 1.2 scoreless innings, and Oliver Drake earned his second win of the campaign with a scoreless seventh. Corbin Clouse (0-1) took the loss after surrendering three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
The Bulls will wrap up their series against the Gwinnett Stripers on Sunday night at 5:05 p.m., before heading out for a road trip beginning on Tuesday.
International League Stories from April 20, 2019
- Indians Clipped by Bats in 10 Innings, 3-1 - Indianapolis Indians
- Pigs Take Another Series against Rochester - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Bulls Sweep Doubleheader against Stripers - Durham Bulls
- Stripers Swept in Twinbill at Durham - Gwinnett Stripers
- Sims Strikes out 13 as Bats Win in Extras, 3-1 - Louisville Bats
- Red Wings Fall 13-8 to Lehigh Valley Saturday - Rochester Red Wings
- Bats tell the story in IronPigs win over Rochester - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Knights Split Doubleheader with Tides on Saturday - Charlotte Knights
- Reyes Homers Again in Loss to Columbus - Toledo Mud Hens
- Syracuse Sweeps Twin Bill Despite Two CGs for Pawtucket Starters - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (9-5) vs. Louisville Bats (7-9) - Indianapolis Indians
- Mets Sweep Doubleheader against Red Sox on Saturday, Improve to 7-2 at NBT Bank Stadium this Season - Syracuse Mets
- RailRiders Game Suspended - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Rain Forces the Suspension of Saturday's Bisons/RailRiders Doubleheader at Sahlen Field - Buffalo Bisons
- Game Notes: Louisville Bats (7-9) at Indianapolis Indians (9-5) - Louisville Bats
- Tucker Recalled, Reynolds' Contract Selected by Pirates - Indianapolis Indians
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, DH (1:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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