Gomez, Clippers Blank Bulls 3-0
The 24 year old Venezuelan retired the first 11 Bulls batters to start the game and got help from his defense as well. After Leslie Anderson and Tim Beckham smacked back-to-back one out singles in the bottom of the fifth, Reid Brignac hit a line drive to Lars Anderson at first who then stepped on the bag to double up Beckham. That was the only real Durham threat as Gomez cruised through the rest of the game, allowing just five hits and striking out five without walking a batter. Despite throwing just 89 pitches through eight innings, Gomez was lifted in favor of Danny Wheeler, who earned his second save of the season.
In just his second career Triple-A start, Alex Colome (L, 0-1, 2.25) took his first loss, allowing three earned runs in six innings on the mound. The #5 prospect in the Rays system gave up a first inning run before working four straight scoreless innings.
The wheels came off for Colome in the top of the sixth though. After Cord Phelps singled and Vinny Rotino walked, Matt La Porta singled in his 55th run of the season. Gregorio Petit later singled in La Porta to push the score to its ultimate final, 3-0.
Ryan Reid threw two scoreless innings in relief, giving up a hit with two strikeouts. He was followed by Jim Paduch, who made his first appearance from the pen and added the team's 10th punch out of the night.
The Bulls conclude their eight game homestand Thursday night against the Clippers. LHP David Huff (5-5, 4.97) will go for Columbus against RHP Matt Torra (9-6, 4.26), with game time at 7:05pm.