Bulls Splinter Bats For Third Straight Win
The Bulls bats came alive early on Wednesday, scoring a run in the first inning and then three more in the second, boosting Paduch's confidence and getting to Lousiville's Jeff Francis (2-3, 3.96). Kyle Hudson led off the game with a bang, smacking his first triple of the year to the right field corner. He was brought home thanks to a double by DH Leslie Anderson. Anderson, the Bulls' leading hitter, was 3-3 on the day. The team would tag on three more runs in the second inning, as Juan Miranda, Jeff Salazar and Craig Albernaz lead off the inning with three straight hits.
Paduch (1-0, 1.13) tossed 4 1/3 innings without allowing a hit and only one baserunner until he gave up a single to Mike Constanzo in the fifth inning. Paduch finished the day throwing five scoreless innings and allowing two hits, while striking out five. Romulo Sanchez relieved the starter and tossed two shutout frames.
The Bats refused to go down quietly in the day game though. Dane De La Rosa entered a 5-0 game in the top of the eighth inning and gave up a 1st pitch home run to Bill Rhinehart. He then gave up a single to Felix Perez and walked Chris Valaika. Denis Phipps would make De La Rosa pay, lacing a double to make a 5-3 game. John Gaub entered the game and with one pitch got the next batter to pop up to Matt Mangini at third base.
Salazar quickly padded the Bulls lead, smashing his second home run of the season, a two run shot to deep right field in the bottom of the eighth inning. Gaub remained in the game, but gave up two runs to make it a 7-5 game. Josh Lueke (S, 1) entered in a save situation and put the final nail in Louisville's comeback hopes.
Tomorrow, Durham looks to ensure its first series victory since the season's opening homestand, as the Bulls and Bats take the field at 7:05pm in game three of the series. RHP Chris Archer (1-4, 6.75) gets the nod for the Bulls against RHP Sean Gallagher (1-2, 7.36) for the Bats. Thursday is College Night at the DBAP. In addition, it is $1 Concession Night, featuring Bright Leaf hot dogs, popcorn and fries.