Lehigh Valley Blanks Bulls In Series Opener, 4-0

Allentown, PA --- Blake Snell struck out a career-high 13 batters, but the Durham Bulls were blanked by Lehigh Valley 4-0 on Friday night at Coca Cola Park.

Snell (L, 3-5), fanned eight of his first nine outs, eclipsing a personal-high of 12 strikeouts with a sixth inning strukeout of Carlos Alonzao. Snell walked just one and increased his International League-leading strikeout total to 90.

The Iron Pigs (33-28) broke the 0-0 tie with two in the fourth against Snell, thanks to consecutive doubles by Darin Ruf and Cam Perkins. Emmanuel Burris drove in the second run on an infield hit with two outs. Lehigh Valley pushed across a third run against Snell in the fifth on a two-out single by Ruf. 

Durham (28-35) had opportunities against Jake Thompson (5-5) in the first three innings, with its best chance in the third when the Bulls piled on three hits and a walk, but did not score. Juniel Querecuto singled, but was thrown out stealing on a missed hit-and-run. Johnny Field then singled, was doubled to third by Daniel Robertson before an intentional walk loaded the bases with two outs. However, Thompson induced a pop out by Richie Shaffer to end the inning.

The Bulls, who fell into third place 3 1/2 games behind idle Charlotte, would not earn a hit over the final six innings of the game as they were shut out for the 11th time this season.

Jaime Schultz (5-2, 2.57) starts the series' second game Saturday night against Ben Lively (2-0, 2.37) at 6:35 PM ET.