Bulls take game, series from Bats
Kristopher Negron went 2-for-4 with the Bats only RBI, scoring Mike Costanzo on a line drive single in the fifth inning. Danny Dorn was 2-for-2 and reached base in all four of his plate appearances.
Ron Mahay made his first start of the year and went four innings for the Bats, who were going with a bullpen by committee, and allowed one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out one. Mahay (1-0, 3.38) last started a game with the Frisco RoughRiders on September 3, 2005. Josh Judy pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings, allowing just a hit and striking out three.
The Bulls opened up a 4-1 lead in the fifth on RBI singles off Carroll by Jesus Feliciano and Leslie Anderson and a sacrifice fly by Brandon Guyer. In the seventh inning, Stephen Vogt put the Bats out of reach with a three-run home run to the opposite field and over the "Blue Monster" in left. The ball appeared to be helped over the fence by a fan leaning over the rail, but after discussion by the umpires, the call stood.
Alex Cobb (1-2, 3.38) earned his first win of the year for Durham, allowing one earned run on eight hits over 6.1 innings. He walked two and struck out five. Dane De La Rosa earned his second save is as many opportunities after coming on to pitch with the tying run at the plate in the seventh. He went 2.1 innings, walking one and striking out four.
The Bats move on to Indianapolis for the final two games of their 12-game road trip before returning home to Louisville Slugger Field on Monday evening. The Indians took the first two games of this road trip from the Bats last week. RHP Chad Reineke (1-0, 3.58) will get the ball for the Bats, and LHP Jeff Locke (2-1, 2.89) goes to the hill for the Tribe.