Bisons shut out by Bulls in final game of set
The Durham Bulls (20-14) accumulated two hits - a single in the fifth and sixth inning - during the final leg of a three-game series. And it would be all they needed against the Bisons, who put up 15 runs and 26 hits the previous two games combined.
The Bulls shut out the Bisons 1-0 on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Field in the third and final game of the series. Wednesday's game was the second time Buffalo was shut out this week and the fifth time in its last nine games.
Manager Gary Allenson lauded Bulls' starting pitcher Matt Buschmann, who threw six innings and gave up five hits and one walk while striking out two while picking up the win.
"Sometimes, you got to hand it to the pitcher," Allenson said. "He did a pretty good job against us. He actually had a tough time throwing strikes in the first couple innings. But obviously he made the pitch when he had to."
Statistically, the best pitcher didn't pick up the victory.
Felix Doubront made his debut with the Bisons after continuing rehab on his injured shoulder in extended spring training. He lasted five innings while allowing one walk and one hit in a no decision.
Doubront retired the first 14 batters he faced, but allowed a two-out single to left-center to Bulls catcher Curt Casali in the top of the fifth inning. He proceeded to walk the next batter before retiring his final opponent of the night on a groundout to second.
"It almost looked like he had a little problem once they got a guy on base when he was pitching from the stretch," Allenson said. "Hopefully, he has that problem a lot where there's not many guys on base."
Doubront was picked up by the Blue Jays after being cut by the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2015 season. Doubront felt "good" after the game and said he will have a 95-100-pitch limit as he continues to rehab. Doubront was given an 80-pitch limit for Wednesday's game.
"The adrenaline, from my first pitch, was really good," Doubront said. "I was so happy to be here and pitch to those guys and get my adrenaline and that little bit of energy throwing here. After the first pitch, it was exciting."
Rob Rasmussen came in to relieve Doubront after five innings of work. Rasmussen retired shortstop Leonardo Reginatto, but allowed a single and a walk to Taylor Motter and Nick Franklin in consecutive at-bats. Motter and Franklin maneuvered a double-steal with one out in the frame to set up a sacrifice ground out by Mikie Mahtook for the first and only run of the game.
The Bisons had multiple opportunities to score in the early part of the game, but were unable to capitalize.
Chris Dickerson led off the bottom of the second inning with a double to right field, but was caught off the bag on Caleb Gindl's line out to second base.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Brad Glenn singled to shallow left field with runners on first and second, but Reginatto stopped it on the edge of the infield to prevent a run from scoring. Andy Burns rounded third too hard and was caught in a rundown where he eventually was tagged out at the plate to preserve a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Matt Hague did single with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, extending his league-leading hitting streak to 14 games.
The Bisons will open a four-game series against Toledo, beginning on Thursday. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.