Johnson Double Helps Bulls Double Up Clippers
Published on July 22, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - The Bulls rallied from two runs down to double up the Columbus Clippers 4-2 on Thursday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Dan Johnson brought home the go-ahead runs with a two-run double in the seventh inning and R.J. Swindle retired the final four batters by way of strikeouts as the Bulls finish their four-game set with the Clippers an even 2-2.
Heath Phillips got the start for Durham, turning in his 10th quality start of the season. The left-hander allowed a pair of solo home runs to Nick Weglarz and Wes Hodges, but allowed just three other hits and lasted 7.2 innings to earn his eighth win of the season.
Clippers starter Josh Tomlin held the Bulls in check through the first five innings, allowing just three hits during that span before the Durham offense finally broke through in the sixth. Chris Richard walked with one out, before pinch-hitter Desmond Jennings grounded a ball down the third-base line for a double to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Jose Lobaton followed with a two-run single into right-center field to tie the game and give the Bulls catcher his 26th and 27th RBI of the season.
The offense took the lead in the seventh, striking for a pair of runs against right-hander Shane Lindsay, who was just called up to the team this afternoon. With runners on first and second and two-out, JJ Furmaniak and Elliot Johnson used an effective double steal to put both in scoring position. Dan Johnson took advantage, lining a ball into the right-center field gap to score a pair and put the Bulls on top 4-2. Johnson's RBI total now sits at 85 on the season, the most in the International League.
In the top of the eighth, Phillips allowed a bunt single to Jose Constanza to start the inning. One batter later, Luis Valbuena reached on an error by Furmaniak to put the tying run on with one out. Phillips got Jared Goedert to line out to right field, before R.J. Swindle came on to set down Jordan Brown swinging to end the threat.
Swindle would allow a single in the ninth, but struck out the other three batters he faced to earn his second save of the season. The Bulls salvage a split in the four-game set, as they improve to 58-40 on the season.
The Bulls open up a four-game set with the Syracuse Chiefs tomorrow at the DBAP. RHP Brian Baker (7-1 2.58) makes the start in place of the injured Carlos Hernandez, he will be matched up against LHP Matt Chico (5-4 3.55). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
International League Stories from July 22, 2010
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