Gwinnett Earns Split As Bulls Fall 4-3
Published on April 26, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - Gwinnett earned a split of the four-game series with a 4-3 victory over the Bulls on Monday afternoon. Right-hander Heath Rollins took the loss, his second of the season, as the Bulls got a two-run homer in the eighth by Dan Johnson but fell short as Craig Kimbrel got the save in the ninth for the Braves.
Rollins was making his first start since August 3 of last season, starting the season in the bullpen before an injury to Virgil Vasquez propelled him into the starting role. He struggled with a veteran Braves offense, allowing four earned runs on seven hits over 4.0 innings of work. Freddie Freeman set the tone with a two-run blast in the third inning, while Joe Thurston brought home the other two runs for the Braves on the day.
The Bulls offense struggled early against Braves starter Ryne Reynoso, as the right-hander got through four innings unscathed before running into trouble in the fifth. Jose Lobaton and Fernando Perez began the inning with singles, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. One batter later, Hank Blalock looped a single into right scoring Lobaton and putting the Bulls on the board, and a error by the right fielder allowed Perez to advance to third. Michael Dunn came on to replace Reynoso, and got Dan Johnson out to end the threat before anymore damage could be done.
Johnson atoned for it in the eighth, going the opposite way over the Blue Monster for a two-run home run to cut the deficit to one. It was Johnson's eighth home run of the season, best in the International League, while bringing home his 16th and 17th RBI of the season.
Richard De Los Santos came on in place of Rollins to work 5.0 shutout innings of relief, not allowing any hits or walks while hitting a batter and striking out one. It was his first action since being recalled to Durham after a brief stint with Double-A Montgomery.
Kimbrel came on with two outs in the eighth for Gwinnett, getting the final out there before setting the Bulls down 1-2-3 in the ninth to preserve the win. Despite the loss, the Bulls sit comfortably atop the South division leaderboard with a record of 14-5 and a 6.0 game lead over Norfolk, Gwinnett and Charlotte who are all 8-11.
The Bulls will travel to Buffalo tomorrow to begin an eight-game road trip beginning with four games against the Bisons. LHP Carlos Hernandez (2-0, 2.00) takes the ball for Durham against RHP Dillon Gee (3-0, 1.00) for Buffalo. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m. and you can listen live on AM 620 The Buzz beginning at 5:50 p.m.
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