Bulls Split Doubleheader With Knights

DURHAM, NC - The first-place Durham Bulls won the nightcap to salvage a doubleheader split with the Charlotte Knights Friday at the DBAP, winning game two 6-2 after dropping the first game 2-1.

Charlotte (14-27) won game one in a pitcher's duel, as rehabbing Chicago White Sox southpaw Chris Sale went four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 11. He out-dueled fellow left-hander Enny Romero, who suffered a no-decision after allowing one run in four innings while punching out seven hitters for the Bulls.

Sale left with a 1-0 lead, thanks to Matt Davidson's solo home run in the second inning. Davidson gave the run back in the sixth however, when he couldn't handle Hak-Ju Lee's sharp grounder to third, allowing Wilson Betemit to score.

Charlotte scored the game winner in the top of the seventh, when the rehabbing Adam Eaton singled in Tyler Saladino off righty Doug Mathis (2-3), who suffered the loss by allowing a run in three innings.

Donnie Veal (1-2) got the win in relief for Charlotte after blowing the save, striking out three in 1 2/3 innings.

In game two Betemit gave the Bulls (25-18) a first inning lead, singling in Lee. The lead ballooned to 3-0 on solo homers by Robby Price in the second and Jerry Sands in the third.

Charlotte rallied against starter Matt Andriese in the fifth. Blake Tekotte opened the inning with a home run, and Micah Johnson drove in a second run on a squeeze bunt. Durham broke the game open in the bottom of the inning, however, scoring on a sacrifice fly and two bases-loaded walks to take a 6-2 advantage.

Andriese (3-3) earned the win behind five innings, allowing two runs and striking out six. Tommy Hanson (2-4) took the loss, as he allowed five runs to score on seven hits and four walks in four innings.

The Bulls welcome Louisville to Durham for a four-game series starting at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. RHP Nathan Karns (2-2, 5.85) starts for the Bulls against LHP David Holmberg (0-4, 13.50) for the Bats.