Allen, Bulls Stampede Bisons 11-5

DURHAM, NC - With the help of a season high four home runs, the Durham Bulls crushed the Buffalo Bisons 11-5 on Saturday night. Brandon Allen smashed two of the Bulls four round trippers, helping Durham capture their third win in a row and their fifth victory in six games.

Jeff Salazar got the party started early with a solo blast to leadoff the game off the Burt's Bees Right Field Foul Pole. Henry Wrigley followed with a two run blast, quickly putting the Bisons in a hole. Two innings later, Durham put up another three spot with a three run blast from the red hot Allen. He wasn't done for night though, as the big lefty smashed his second home run of the game in the 6th. Allen collected 4 RBI in all and extended his hitting streak to nine games.

The Bulls pounded the depleted Bisons pitching staff for four more runs in the 6th thanks to timely hits, costly errors and wild pitches by relievers Jenrry Mejia and Elvin Ramirez. In his return to the lineup, Tim Beckham singled in the frame and scored a run. He was driven home thanks to an RBI single from Reid Brignac, who extended his on-base streak to 16 games.

Bulls starter Jim Paduch (4-5, 4.18) needed only a fraction of the run support he received. The Chicago native was brilliant on Saturday night, tossing a season high 7.0 IP and allowing just one unearned run in the final inning of his outing. He allowed five hits, walked three and struck out four on his way to his fourth win of the season. Romulo Sanchez and Ryan Reid picked him up and finished off the blowout. For tonight's game, the Bulls wore pink jerseys in honor of Swing for the Cure. The Bulls raised a total of $4,490 through an in-game auction that benefitted the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Durham and Buffalo pick things back up on Sunday evening at 5:05pm. The Bulls are scheduled to send LHP Alex Torres (2-3, 6.59) to the hill to take on former UNC Tar Heel RHP Matt Harvey (6-3, 3.7) for the Bisons. Following the game, Kids Run the Bases courtesy of Pepsi.