Bulls Open Homestand with 5-1 Victory

DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls opened up their seven-game homestand, and four-game set with the Charlotte Knights, with a 5-1 victory on a soggy Monday night at the DBAP.

After a 1:29 rain delay, Durham (5-7) struck first, plating a pair in the second inning. Joey Butler singled to lead off the inning, before Vince Belnome followed with a walk. Luke Maile then singled to load the bases, and Curt Casali reached on a fielder's choice error that scored Butler. Hak-Ju Lee then walked with the bases loaded to put the Bulls ahead by two.

In the fifth the home side doubled its lead as Mikie Mahtook singled to centerfield to score Eugenio Velez and Jake Elmore. Charlotte (7-4) struck for a run in the top of the sixth, but the Bulls countered in the bottom of the seventh when Mahtook struck again, driving in Lee on an RBI ground out.

Southpaw Everett Teaford (1-1) earned the victory, allowing just one run on five hits over six innings of work. Three Durham relievers preserved the shutout, as Bryce Stowell (1.0 inning), Andy Oliver (1.1 innings) and Ronald Belisario (0.2 innings) combined to shut out the Knights. Right-hander Shawn Haviland (0-1) took the loss for Charlotte, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits in 4 2/3 frames.

The two teams have a quick turnaround, as game two of the series is set for Tuesday at 11:05 a.m. RHP Alex Colome (NR) makes his third rehab start of 2015, and first with Durham, opposite RHP Chris Beck (0-0, 3.72) for the Charlotte.