Archer's Effort Not Enough, Bulls Fall In 10

DURHAM, NC - The Columbus Clippers broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the tenth inning to sink the Durham Bulls 2-1 on Tuesday night, evening up the series between the two teams. Chris Archer was brilliant in his start, but ultimately did not factor into the decision.

Archer tossed a gem, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing an earned run on five hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts. After allowing a run in the first inning, the Rays top pitching prospect settled down and struck out the side in the second. The Clayton, NC native added five more punch outs, but was pulled after allowing a two out walk in the top of the seventh. Frank De Los Santos relieved the righty and allowed a hit to the first batter he faced, but followed it by striking out Jason Donald to end the inning.

The Bulls struck back with a run in the bottom of the fourth off of Columbus starter Eric Berger. Henry Wrigley smoked an RBI double for the second straight game to score Cole Figueroa from second base.

Despite Archer's dominant performance, it would take extra innings to decide the contest. The game remained at a 1-1 stalemate until the top of the 10th inning. After working a 1-2-3 ninth, Brandon Gomes (L, 0-3, 2.27) allowed a leadoff single to the number nine hitter Aaron Cunningham. A wild pitch and a fly ball moved Cunningham 90 feet from breaking the tie. Gomes had a two strike count on Donald, but the Clippers shortstop drove a single into right field to give Columbus a 2-1 edge. J.C Romero sat the Bulls down in order in the bottom of the 10th, securing the extra-inning win for the Indians' top affiliate.

The Bulls look for their 5th win of the homestand tomorrow night against the Clippers at 7:05pm. RHP Jeanmar Gomez (5-2, 3.02) will start for Columbus against RHP Alex Colome (0-0, 0.00), who makes his second Triple-A start.