Motter, Arencibia Power Bulls Past Mud Hens
TOLEDO, OH - The Durham Bulls salvaged the final game of their three-game set against the Toledo Mud Hens, earning a 5-3 victory behind three home runs Wednesday afternoon at Fifth Third Field.
The Mud Hens plated the game's first run, scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Jefry Marte delivered a run-scoring double for a 1-0 lead.
Durham (42-38) came right back with a run of its own in the second though, as Richie Shaffer clocked a solo homer to tie the contest. The dinger marked Shaffer's 11th with the Bulls this season, and 18th overall between Double-A Montgomery and Durham.
Toledo (35-44) re-took the lead in the bottom of the frame, when Mike Hessman tripled to lead off the inning before scoring a batter later on an RBI groundout.
In the third Taylor Motter tied the game up, driving home Ryan Brett with a one-out double. After Motter advanced to third on a wild pitch, JP Arencibia delivered a sacrifice fly to leftfield, scoring Motter for a 3-2 Durham advantage.
Motter and Arencibia struck again in the sixth, hitting back-to-back solo homers as Durham extended its lead to 5-2. In the seventh the home side got a run back though, as the rehabbing Alex Avila drove home Daniel Fields to make it a 5-3 game.
Southpaw Scott Diamond (8-3) earned the victory, allowing two runs on eight hits over six innings. After Jhan Mariñez allowed a run over 1 2/3 frames, righty Jim Miller picked up his second save of the season by recording the game's final four outs. Lefty Mike Belfiore (3-8) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs on five hits over six innings.
Motter led the Durham offense with a 3-for-3 day, raising his average to a season-best .307.
The Bulls continue their eight-game road swing Thursday when they take on the Norfolk Tides in the first of two games at Harbor Park. RHP Matt Andriese (1-0, 2.70) gets the ball for Durham, while Norfolk has yet to name a starter. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.