Bulls Misfire In Indy, Fall 3-1
Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, the Bulls (22-31) picked up a solo homer by former Indian Jeff Salazar to trim the deficit in half, but misfired on numerous chances to steal a win against the West Division leaders.
In the third against starter Rudy Owens (W, 3-2), Reid Brignac led off with a double, took third on a sacrifice, but was stranded as Owens fanned Craig Albernaz and Shawn O'Malley. Down 2-1 in the sixth, O'Malley tripled to start the frame, with Jesus Feliciano walking to bring up the heart of the order. However, Henry Wrigley and Leslie Anderson fanned, and after Juan Miranda was hit to fill the bases, Salazar went down on strikes to end the inning.
In all, the Bulls were 0-9 with runners in scoring position, stranding nine in the game.
Meanwhile, the Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first on a hard double inside third by Anderson Hernandez, then added a second inning run against Chris Archer (L, 3-6) on a line single off of the glove of Brignac at short.
Archer surrendered just a solo home run the rest of the way, Jeff Clement's third of the series in the sixth inning.
Archer fanned eight over his six frames, walking one. Archer leads the International League with 69 strikeouts, including 38 in his last 22 2/3 innings.
Brignac led the Bulls seven-hit attack, going 3-4 with a pair of doubles.
The series continues Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 PM ET with Shane Dyer (0-1, 6.30) starting against Justin Wilson (4-3, 3.46).