Durham Thrashes Lehigh Valley in 12-1 Win

DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls got on the scoreboard early and did not let up, defeating the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 12-1 Wednesday night at the DBAP for the team's ninth win in its last 10 games. Jake Faria (3-1) recorded the win in relief of starter José De León, while JoJo Romero (2-2) suffered the loss.
After allowing six earned runs on eight hits when facing Durham last week, IronPigs starter JoJo Romero was roughed up early in the first inning, beginning with a two-RBI single by Mike Brosseau to put Durham in front 2-0. Nick Solak piled on with a two-run home run to deep left center field to take a 4-0 lead later in the frame.
The Bulls offense continued to pressure Romero, who gave up a two-run home run to Jake Smolinski, before exiting down 6-0 in the fourth inning. That did not stop the Bulls who got an RBI double from Jason Coats to extend the lead to 7-0 in the fifth. In the sixth Nate Lowe followed with an RBI double of his own to take an 8-0 lead, and Coats wasn't finished, tallying another RBI double for a nine-run advantage.
The IronPigs offense was held in check for much of the game, recording just four hits and one run on a Gift Ngoepe solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 9-1. Kean Wong silenced any comeback attempt with an RBI single to make it 10-1 in the seventh, and Brosseau drove in another run on an RBI sacrifice fly and Solak hit an RBI single to take a commanding 12-1 lead.
De Leon made his first start as a Bull since 2017, pitching 3.0 innings, allowing two hits and a walk, while striking out five on an MLB rehab appearance. Jake Faria pitched well in relief, going 4.0 innings, allowing two hits, one run and striking out six.
The Bulls wrap up a three-game series against the IronPigs on Thursday night at the DBAP, before beginning a three-game series against the Rochester Red Wings Friday evening.