Richard's Blast Keys Bulls to Victory
Published on August 31, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - A day which saw the Bulls take three of the four major International League awards ended in victory as they downed division rival Charlotte, 5-2. Brian Baker picked up his ninth win of the year, while Chris Richard put the Bulls on top with his 18th home run of the season as the Bulls improve their record-setting win total to 85 on the year.
Baker held the Knights offense to just three hits over 5.0 innings of work, not walking a batter for the first time in 11 starts this season while striking out five. The win was just Baker's second since the All-Star break, snapping a spell in which he lost five of his last six decisions.
Knights right hander Freddy Dolsi kept the Bulls bats quiet through his first four innings of work, despite coming into the game with a 7.63 ERA in six appearances against the Bulls earlier in the season.
The Bulls offense finally got to Dolsi in the fifth, as JJ Furmaniak walked and stole second to start the inning before All-Star utility man Elliot Johnson drew a free pass to set the table for Richard. The Bulls cleanup hitter worked the count to 2-2 before taking the Dolsi offering the opposite way over the Blue Monster in left for a three-run homer. It was his second homer in as many games, and is now 6-for-9 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI over his last two contests.
The offense added two more in the seventh courtesy of Fernando Perez. The Bulls outfielder singled off Knights lefty Randy Williams to bring home a run, took second on the throw home and advanced to third when it skipped away from Knights catcher Donnie Lucy. He would come home on a passed ball, extending the Bulls lead to five.
Jake McGee came in to replace Baker in the sixth inning, working around a first and third with nobody out jam in the sixth before working a scoreless seventh. Since being called up from Double-A Montgomery on August 6, McGee has not allowed an earned run in first 14.2 innings of work while striking out 23 and walking just one.
Mike Ekstom worked a scoreless eight inning, but RJ Swindle ran into trouble in the ninth. The Knights loaded the bases with nobody out against the Bulls left-hander, prompting Bulls manager (and International League Manager of the Year winner) Charlie Montoyo to go to closer Winston Abreu. A double play ball off the bat of Lucy brought home the Knights first run of the game, before Jordan Danks doubled to make it 5-2. Abreu would close the door after the double, getting Brent Morel to ground out to end the game and preserve the win for Durham.
The two teams close out their five-game set tomorrow with a 7:05 p.m. start at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. LHP Bobby Livingston (0-0 10.80) is scheduled to take the hill for the Bulls, he will be matched up against RHP Jeff Marquez (8-7 4.51).
International League Stories from August 31, 2010
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- Chiefs Win 6-4, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive - Syracuse Mets
- Richard's Blast Keys Bulls to Victory - Durham Bulls
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