Doubles Help Bulls Down PawSox
Published on May 25, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - The Bulls broke a 2-2 tie with four runs in the sixth inning, going on to defeat Pawtucket 8-5 and steal three of four games from the PawSox in the series. Dan Johnson continued his destruction of Pawtucket's pitching, going 2-for-3 with a homer and a double while Joe Dillon went 4-for-4 with three doubles as the Bulls improve to 26-20 on the season.
After establishing a reputation as a Red Sox killer with a 9th inning home run off Jonathan Papelbon as a member of the Rays in 2008, Johnson took his turn on their Triple-A affiliate in their four-game set. The slugger went 6-for-11 during the series with three home runs and 10 RBI. His two-run blast in the bottom of the second inning was his 14th on the season and gave Bulls starter Heath Phillips the early advantage.
The PawSox offense answered back, notching a pair of runs off the Bulls lefty with the help of a solo homer by Lars Anderson in the second inning and an RBI groundout by former NC State standout Aaron Bates in the fourth.
The score remained tied at two until the fourth inning, when the Bulls got the bats going against PawSox southpaw Fabio Castro. A walk to Johnson, a double by Joe Dillon and another walk by Chris Richard loaded the bases with nobody out. Ryan Shealy topped a ball to third that could not be handled by Jorge Jimenez, and the go-ahead run came across as the bases stayed loaded after the error. Angel Chavez followed with a two-run single, and the fourth run came across on a double-play ball by Jose Lobaton as the Bulls took a 6-2 lead.
They tacked on two more in the seventh inning against Castro, as Johnson laced a ball into the right field corner with one out to start the rally. After an errant pickoff attempt allowed pinch runner Rashad Eldridge to move to third, Dillon brought him home with his third double of the night. One batter later, Shealy took a Robert Manuel fastball the opposite way and plugged the gap in right for an RBI double to make the score 8-2.
Joe Bateman tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief for the Bulls, and R.J. Swindle added a scoreless inning in the eighth before the PawSox got things going in the ninth. Bulls righty Dale Thayer was unable to find the strike zone, walking four including two with the bases loaded as the Sox cut the lead to 8-4. Mike Ekstrom would save the day, coming on and allowing an RBI groundout to Angel Sanchez before striking out Daniel Nava on a nasty breaking ball to end the threat. It was the first save of the season for Ekstrom, while Bateman picked up his second victory.
The Bulls have the day off tomorrow before hosting Rochester for a four-game set beginning Thursday. RHP Aneury Rodriguez takes the mound for the Bulls, he will be opposed by LHP Glen Perkins for the Red Wings. Fans are encouraged to bring their puppy along for this game, as the Bulls celebrate Bark in the Park. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
International League Stories from May 25, 2010
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