Norfolk Bests Durham 5-0

Bulls right fielder Ruben Cardenas and third baseman Osleivis Basabe each recorded two hits, however Tides second baseman Connor Norby drove in two runs and third baseman Jordan Westburg homered in Norfolk’s 5-0 win over Durham on Saturday evening at Harbor Park.

The Tides got their first score in the second on a sacrifice fly before Wesburg’s solo shot in the fourth made it 2-0. Norby would then rip a two-run single as part of a three-run fifth inning to extend the advantage to five.

Cardenas (2-4, 2B) and Basabe (2-5, 2B) both collected two knocks, including a double each, while Westburg (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI) tallied a multi-hit effort. Bulls 2B Vidal Brujan also reached base four times, all via bases on balls. The shutout defeat marked the first time this season Durham has failed to score a run in a game.

Norfolk southpaw Nick Vespi (1.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 SO) earned the win and Chris Vallimont (4.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 SO) notched the four-inning save. Durham starter Taj Bradley (4.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 SO) suffered the defeat.

The two teams are set to conclude their six-game road set on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05pm. The Bulls’ starting pitcher has not yet been determined, while LHP Bruce Zimmermann is anticipated to get the nod for the Tides.

Durham returns home to Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, May 16 to start a six-game homestand with the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First pitch of the series opener is set for 6:35pm.

Tickets for that game and all 2023 Durham Bulls home games are available, and can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com, or by calling 919.956.BULL.