Iron Pigs Down Colome, Bulls 7-1

Allentown, PA --- Lehigh Valley scored seven runs within the third and fourth innings to defeat Alex Colome and the Durham Bulls 7-1 on Monday night.

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the third, Colome (L, 5-4) allowed consecutive hits to begin the Iron Pigs (54-63) inning. Colome then gloved Freddy Galvis' sacrifice bunt and threw late to third base, with the throw deflecting off of Ray Olmedo's glove for an error to bring the first run home. Maikel Franco followed with a run-scoring double to give Lehigh Valley a 2-0 lead. A grounder by Russ Canzler scored the third run before the inning ended.

Colome then permitted four runs in the fourth as the Iron Pigs took full command. Colome walked a batter, hit another and allowed a single to Clete Thomas to load the bases. A single from Cesar Hernandez brought in the first run, with a wild pitch scoring Cameron Rupp. A fielder's choice grounder and a sacrifice fly brought in two more as the Bulls fell behind 7-0 after four.

Meanwhile, Greg Smith (W, 8-8) tossed seven strong innings, allowing only a Wilson Betemit opposite-field homer in the seventh.

Doug Mathis threw three scoreless innings after Colome's departure, with Merrill Kelly tossing the eighth.

Durham had just six hits, with Vince Belnome collecting a pair of singles.

Colome allowed seven hits and seven earned runs over four innings, fanning two in the loss.

The Bulls maintained their seven game lead in the South thanks to Buffalo's 7-4 win at Norfolk.

The Bulls wrap up their series with Lehigh Valley and thier eight-game road trip on Tuesday morning at 11:35 AM ET with Mike Montgomery (9-4, 3.96) starting for Durham