Bulls Efficient in 2-1 Win Over Bats

DURHAM, N.C. - The Durham Bulls didn't have much offense to work with Tuesday night but they made the most of their limited opportunities, as they overcame a 9-4 deficit in the hit column to defeat the visiting Louisville Bats 2-1 at the DBAP.
Three of the Bulls' four hits on the night came in their two run-scoring innings, including a solo home run by Shane Peterson in the second and a double from Patrick Leonard in the sixth that eventually became the game-winning run. Durham's one advantage at the plate came from those two extra-base hits, as all nine of Louisville's base knocks were singles. The pair of runs proved to be enough for starting pitcher Brent Honeywell Jr. and the Bulls' pen, as five pitchers combined to limit the Bats to a single run.
The Bulls struck first on the night, with Peterson's solo shot to right field giving the home team a 1-0 lead in the second inning. That score would last all the way until the sixth, as Honeywell shutout the Bats on six hits, one walk, and six strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched. Reliever Adam Kolarek struggled to close out the inning however, as the lefty reliever allowed three straight singles to drive in a run and tie the game at 1-1.
Durham quickly responded in the home half of the frame though, with Leonard leading off the inning with a double down the left field line before eventually scoring three batters later on an RBI, sacrifice fly by Justin O'Conner to go on top 2-1. That one run ended up being enough for the Bulls' pen, as Andrew Kittredge , Jaime Schultz , and Diego Castillo combined to set the Bats down in order over the final three innings to secure the Durham victory.
Kolarek (2-4) earned the win after initially blowing the save with one run allowed on three hits over 0.1 innings pitched. Louisville reliever Nick Routt (1-4) took the loss after also giving up one run over his 0.1 innings on the mound.
Peterson led the Durham lineup with a 2-4 game including his team-leading 11^th homer of the year, while O'Conner finished 1-3 with an RBI.
The Bulls (71-44) and Bats (45-69) will play the rubber match of their three-game series Wednesday night, with RHP Yonny Chirinos (11-3, 2.89) taking on RHP Rookie Davis (1-2, 5.47) at 7:05 pm.
                                                                                                          
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