Andriese Sharp Again, Leads Bulls Past Tides

DURHAM, NC - Behind eight one-run innings from right-hander Matt Andriese, the Durham Bulls downed the Norfolk Tides 4-2 Saturday night at the DBAP.

In front of 9,202 fans, Andriese (6-3) earned the win by tying a career high with his eight innings pitched, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out five. The right-hander saw his scoreless streak come to an end at 23 innings when Xavier Paul scored on a single by Buck Britton in the fifth frame, but Andriese kept the Tides at bay the rest of the way.

Durham (38-26) got on the board in the first inning as Hak-Ju Lee singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Curt Casali for a 1-0 lead. The home side doubled its lead in the fourth when Wilson Betemit launched a solo homer to right, marking the Bulls' first dinger over the past seven games.

After Norfolk (26-37) came within a run in the fifth, the Bulls added insurance in the eighth when the Tides committed an error on three straight plays, allowing Durham to score a pair for a 4-1 advantage.

In the ninth southpaw Jeff Beliveau allowed a run to score on an RBI single by Paul, but kept the damage there to earn his seventh save of the campaign.

Righty Eddie Gamboa (4-5) took the loss for the visitors, despite allowing just two runs on three hits in seven innings while striking out nine. Lee tallied two of the four hits for Durham, while Betemit and Price each finished with a hit apiece.

Durham closes its season-long 10-game homestand Sunday when the Bulls send RHP Nathan Karns (3-2, 4.24) to the hill opposite RHP Josh Stinson (0-3, 5.19) for Norfolk. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.

BULL-et Points: Durham improved to 6-3 on the homestand with the win… Earlier in the day, RHP Kirby Yates  was promoted to Tampa Bay, his first career call-up… Andriese's 23 consecutive scoreless innings were the most by a Bulls starter since RHP Mitch Talbot posted 24 straight from 4/25-5/11/08… Andriese has not lost since May 5 at Syracuse, and is 5-0 in that span.