Bulls Pummel IronPigs in 10-0 Blanking

DURHAM, NC - The first-place Durham Bulls plated 10 runs over three consecutive innings to win their second straight over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 10-0 in front of 10,021 fans at the DBAP Saturday night.

Alex Colome made his first start of the season for the Bulls and struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings of three-hit ball. He left with the game still scoreless, however, since the Bulls were unable to muster anything against Lehigh Valley starter Barry Enright through the game's first five innings.

The IronPigs' (29-27) defense faltered in the sixth though, allowing the Bulls to get on the board. Shortstop Tyler Henson booted a probable double-play grounder early in the frame, before the Bulls went on to score on an RBI single by Wilson Betemit and a two-run single by Mike Fontenot for a 3-0 lead.

The Bulls (34-23) put the game out of reach with a six-run seventh inning that was extended when two Lehigh Valley outfielders collided, allowing Betemit's sacrifice fly to land safely.

Later in the seventh, Jerry Sands crushed a three-run homer over the Snorting Bull sign and Mayo Acosta capped the scoring in the inning with a two-run single. Justin Christian finished off a four-hit night with a home run off the Snorting Bull in the eighth inning.

Merrill Kelly (6-1), who gave up his spot in the starting rotation when Colome returned to the team, earned the win in relief, tossing 3 1/3 shutout innings and allowing just three hits. Enright (3-3) took the loss, surrendering seven runs (five earned) over 6 1/3 frames on nine hits.

The Bulls and IronPigs meet for the third game of the four-game series at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday. LHP Enny Romero (2-5, 6.08) starts for the Bulls against RHP Sean O'Sullivan (2-4, 4.19) for the 'Pigs.