Smolinski's Homers Not Enough in One-Run Loss

DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls came back from a five-run first inning deficit, but eventually fell 7-6 to the Norfolk Tides Thursday night at the DBAP. Luis Ysla (3-5) recorded the victory for the Tides, while Ricardo Pinto (4-3) suffered the loss for the Bulls.
The first inning got off to a fast start for both teams, with the Tides jumping on Pinto right from the beginning. Cedric Mullins was able to score on a wild pitch by Pinto, only to be followed up by a Ryan Mountcastle ground out into a double play to add another run. The scoring didn't stop there, with back-to-back home runs by Zach Vincej and Ademar Rifaela to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Bulls offered an immediate rebuttal, beginning with a three-run home run by Jake Smolinski in the bottom of the first to slash the deficit to two. Mac James provided more of the same in the second, with an RBI double to make it 5-4. Jake Cronenworth made up the deficit with an RBI groundout to tie the game at five by the end of the second frame.
However, the Tides were able to jump back in front for good, beginning with an RBI groundout by Mason Williams to take a 6-5 lead. Then in the eighth inning, Rifaela picked up his second home run of the game over the Blue Monster to take a 7-5 lead. Smolinski kept the Bulls alive with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Bulls couldn't force extra innings, dropping their second straight contest.
After going 2-2 on the homestand, the Bulls will head on the road for a three-game trip to face the Toledo Mud Hens beginning Friday night. They will return to the DBAP to open the month of July, starting a three-game series against the Charlotte Knights on Monday.