Myers' Blast, Late Runs Key Bulls Victory

DURHAM, N.C. - Wil Myers hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie, and propel the Durham Bulls to a 10-5 win over the Charlotte Knights at the DBAP Sunday evening.

The win gave the first-place Bulls (67-62) a win in the three-game series with their division rivals and cut the Bulls magic number to clinch the IL South to nine.

Durham appeared to be on its way to an easy victory early on. Mike Fontenot drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the first inning, and Cole Figueroa's triple plated two in the second.

Starter Mike Montgomery couldn't make the lead stand up, however, giving up four runs in the fourth inning. Montgomery left after 3 2/3 innings, marking the fifth time in the last six starts that he's failed to finish five innings.

The Durham bullpen did its job, retiring 13 straight batters through the eighth inning. Brandon Gomes went 2 1/3 scoreless innings and C.J. Riefenhauser (3-3) earned the win with two perfect frames.

Charlotte's (57-73) bullpen was nearly the equal of the Bulls, retiring 13 straight before Ray Olmedo led off the seventh with a single. Two batters later, Myers drove a pitch onto the berm in left-center for the second home run of his MLB injury rehab stint with the team.

The Bulls added four eighth-inning runs as insurance, keyed by an Ali Solis three-run homer over the Blue Monster in left field.

Scott Snodgress (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing a pair of runs in three innings of relief.

The Bulls have an off day Monday before continuing the 10-game homestand against Norfolk Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. LHP Enny Romero (5-11, 5.00) starts for the Bulls against RHP Josh Stinson (5-4, 5.59) for the Tides.