PawSox Spoil Matsui's Durham Debut
Published on May 15, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
DURHAM, NC - 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui made his Triple-A debut for the Bulls on Tuesday at the DBAP, but the night belonged to the visiting Pawtucket Red Sox who cruised to an 8-2 victory. Matsui was 0-4 in the loss, but did come within inches of homering in the 4th inning.
With a loud ovation from the DBAP crowd, Matsui made his Bulls debut in the bottom of the first inning. The former Yankee struck out swinging to end the inning, but showed promise in his second. Matsui crushed a ball to deep right field, but was robbed by Che-Hsuan Lin at the wall. He grounded out in his final two plate appearances to go hitless in his first game as a Bull.
The Bulls found themselves in an early hole, as Josh Kroeger hit his 4th home run of the year to put the Red Sox up 3-0 in the first inning. 22-year old prospect José Iglesias followed up in the second with a two run shot off of Matt Torra (2-5, 6.25) to put the Sox up 5-0. Alex Torres relieved Torra in the 5th inning and tossed 3.2 hitless innings, without walking a batter and striking out four until he got into trouble in the top of the ninth. Torres gave up three straight hits to load the bases and then allowed a two run double, to put the Bulls in a six run hole.
Matt Mangini and Leslie Anderson both connected on first pitch home runs in the 4th, and the Bulls would have gone back-to-back-to-back had it not been for Lin's grab that stole Matsui's 4th inning homer bid.
Durham and Pawtucket play game two of the series Wednesday night. Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis is scheduled to make a rehab start for the PawSox. Doug Mathis (2-2, 5.01) gets the nod for Pawtucket against Durham's RHP Lance Pendleton (1-1, 4.15). Game time is set for 7:05pm.
International League Stories from May 15, 2012
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- Rochester Red Wings Post-Game Notes - Tuesday, May 15 vs. Louisville Bats - Rochester Red Wings
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- Chiefs Drop Clippers for Seventh Straight Win - Syracuse Mets
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- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - Tuesday, May 15 vs. Louisville - Rochester Red Wings
- Gwinnett Braves Schedule Doubleheader with Columbus on June 14 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Kevin Youkilis Scheduled to Begin Rehab at DBAP Wednesday - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Notes - Gwinnett at Buffalo - Buffalo Bisons
- IronPigs Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Mud Hens Start Eight-Game Homestand Tonight - Toledo Mud Hens
- Baseball Month in Rochester - May 15 - Rochester Red Wings
- Matsuzaka Scheduled to Face Matsui, Bulls in Rehab Start Thursday - Durham Bulls
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