Empire State Drops Durham 3-2 In Extras
Russo doubled on Josh Lueke's 3-1 pitch over the head of left fielder Kyle Hudson to even the series. The inning was sustained after the Bulls (13-24) attempted a 1-6-3 double play on a comebacker to the mound, but Lueke's (L, 0-2) throw to second base was high and caught by a leaping Shawn O'Malley to get a force out, but the Bulls could not turn two. After Russo stole second base, Curtis drilled the game-winning hit.
Trailing 2-0, the Bulls went back-to-back for the first time this season. Leslie Anderson hit his first homer of the season to right field, followed by Henry Wrigley's first Triple-A blast to left field to tie the game.
Durham's pitching was solid practically the entire game, with Jim Paduch throwing four ininngs of two-run ball on three days rest. Romulo Sanchez pitched three scoreless innings, surrendering one hit, his longest outing of the season. John Gaub pitched the scoreless eighth, and benefited from a brilliant running catch by Jesus Feliciano on a drive by designated hitter Jack Cust. Feliciano raced into left-center to haul Cust's slicing blast with two out and two aboard to keep the game tied.
The Bulls had 13 hits in the game, including a 3-5 night by Wrigley, who was making his first start in Triple-A. Anderson went 2-5, lifting his team-leading average to .347, with Stephen Vogt going 2-4 and O'Malley collecting a 2-4 night.
Chris Archer (2-4, 5.50) starts the series' third game on Sunday at 1:05 PM ET.