Bisons Outlast Bulls In Four Hours, 14 Innings
Buffalo, NY --- A throwing error on a sacrifice bunt scored the game's only run in the 14th inning as Buffalo outlasted Durham 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls' longest game of the year ended in exactly four hours in the last of the 14th when Juan Sandoval (L, 1-1) threw away a sacrifice bunt from Ricardo Nanita to bring Mike Nickeas home from second base with the winning run, dropping the Bulls to their first three-game losing streak since the first week of May.
The Bulls (47-30) outhit the Bisons (39-36) 8-7, but went 0-10 with runners in scoring position during the game.
Starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi worked his longest start of his career, pitching eight shutout innings on two hits, fanning six. Josh Lueke, Kirby Yates and Sandoval combined for the final five-plus innings.
The best scoring chance for the Bulls was in the sixth when Cole Figueroa doubled to start the inning, then was bunted to third by Jason Bourgeois. Tim Beckham grounded to first with the infield in while Figueroa held. Vince Belnome struck out to end the inning.
In extra innings, the Bulls twice left runners in scoring position, one at third and another at second.
The Bulls kept their 7 1/2 game lead in the South with Norfolk losing to Scranton.
Mike Montgomery (3-1, 4.50) starts against Ricky Romero (0-1, 6.69) in the series finale on Monday night at 7:05 PM ET.