Lee, Teaford Lead Durham to Six-Run Win

DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls won their fifth straight game Sunday evening at the DBAP, defeating the Columbus Clippers 7-1 behind a trio of early home runs.

The Bulls (64-66) jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first inning on a solo homer by Nick Franklin. In the second Durham poured it on, as JP Arencibia hit a solo dinger over the Blue Monster, and three batters later Hak-Ju Lee blasted a two-run homer into the rightfield seats for a 4-0 lead.

After Columbus (72-57) scored its lone run on a solo homer by Michael Choice to lead off the fifth, the home side countered with a run in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Ryan Brett. Then in the eighth frame Lee struck again, this time mashing a two-run double into right-centerfield for a six-run lead.

Lee finished 2-for-4, and tied a career-high by driving in four. Brett finished the evening with a team-high three hits, while Corey Brown chipped in a 2-for-3 night. The Bulls concluded their five-game homestand with a perfect 5-0 record, outscoring their opponents 45-12 over that span.

Left-hander Everett Teaford (5-8) picked up the victory, allowing one run on four hits over 5 1/3 frames. Righty Parker Markel, in his second career Triple-A outing, tossed 2 2/3 perfect frames in relief, and Jhan Mariñez closed the game out with a scoreless ninth. Will Roberts (2-4) suffered the loss for the Clippers, allowing five runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

The Bulls' final off day of the season is Monday, before they return to action Tuesday in the first game of a two-game set against the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park. LHP Blake Snell (4-2, 1.53) will make the start for Durham opposite RHP Terry Doyle (2-1, 2.96) for Norfolk. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.