Knights Silence Bulls In 5-0 Shutout

DURHAM, NC - A night after the team exploded for a season-high 13 runs, the Bulls bats were quieted in a 5-0 loss Tuesday to the Charlotte Knights. The offensive output could not have been any different than Monday's eighteen hit explosion, as Charlotte's Eric Stults stymied Durham batters, who could only muster four hits in tonight's game. Opening Night starter Alex Cobb (0-1, 2.25) got the nod for the Bulls on the crisp April night and was efficient, recording two seven pitch innings during the game. Cobb allowed two earned runs on four hits, but he was outdone by his counterpart Stults (1-0, 0.00) who threw 6.0 scoreless innings with only allowed two hits. Marquis Fleming relieved Cobb and struggled, allowing three earned runs in his two innings of work.

Brandon Guyer, Kyle Hudson, Jesus Feliciano and Jeff Salazar were the only four Bulls with hits on the night, all singles. Durham attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, with a leadoff single from Feliciano and walks from Hudson and Shawn O'Malley. Shortstop Tim Beckham stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded for the fourth time this season, but struck out swinging to end the Bulls hopes in the frame.

Donnie Veal and Deunte Heath closed things out for the Knights, preserving the Stults' gem and handing the Bulls their second shutout loss of the season.

The Durham Bulls conclude their opening homestand against the Charlotte Knights tomorrow in a 11:05am midweek matinee. LHP Alex Torres (0-0, 0.00) will make his second start for the Bulls, while the Knights will send RHP Charlie Shirek (1-0, 7.20) to the mound.