Columbus, OH -- Nellie Rodríguez socked a two-run, game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to send Columbus past Durham 5-3 at Huntington Park on Saturday night.Durham reliever Ryne Stanek (L, 0-1) walked Mike Papi to start the inning, then hung a 3-2 slider to Rodriguez, who bashed out
Columbus, OH -- Nellie Rodríguez socked a two-run, game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to send Columbus past Durham 5-3 at Huntington Park on Saturday night.
Durham reliever Ryne Stanek (L, 0-1) walked Mike Papi to start the inning, then hung a 3-2 slider to Rodriguez, who bashed out the go-homer against over the centerfield wall.
The Bulls grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second on Jason Coats' first home run of the season, and his first since August 30, 2016. Coats lined a pitch from Adam Wilk just over the left field wall. Coats missed all of 2017 after undergoing elbow surgery.
Durham pushed the lead to 3-0 in the fifth thanks to a two-out double by Joe McCarthy to bring Justin Williams from first base.
Vidal Nuño III worked six innings in his second start of the year, permitting three runs and fanning six.
The Clippers' rally started in the fifth when Brandon Barnes extended an at-bat to nine pitches against Nuno before hitting a two run shot to left. In the sixth, Francisco Mejía led off with a game-tying home run to make it 3-3.
Three Columbus (4-5) relievers shut down the Bulls over the final four innings, retiring all 12 hitters.
Kean Wong collected a double and a triple in five at-bats to lead Durham's offense.
The Bulls will attempt to split the series on Sunday afternoon with Chih-Wei Hu (0-1, 6.00) opposing Alexi Ogando (0-0, 2.45) at 2:05 PM ET.
