Toledo Edges Bulls with Eighth Inning Single

Toledo, OH --- The active home run leader in minor league history delivered a two-out single in the eighth inning to lift Toledo past Durham 1-0 in the Bulls road trip finale on Thursday night.

Hessman swatted an 0-2 pitch from CJ Riefenhauser (L, 1-1) down the left field line to bring home Hernan Perez with the game's only run. Riefenhauser issued three walks in the inning, but nearly escaped the inning after he picked off Ezequiel Carrera from second base before the third walk. Hessman, who has 402 career home runs, including one on Monday off of Riefenhauser, is third all-time in minor league baseball.

Durham (32-23) had its best chance to score in the first inning after a one-out walk to Jayson Nix and a double by Mikie Mahtook drove Nix to third. Wilson Betemit worked the count to 2-1, but floated a shallow flyball to right against Toledo starter Duane Below, but Nix could not attempt to tag up.

Nathan Karns worked his fifth straight quality start for the Bulls, tossing six scoreless innings, permitting just one of his two hits to reach the outfield. 

Below matched Karns inning for inning, pitching six scoreless on three hits.

Mahtook went 2-4 to lead the Bulls' five-hit night.

The Bulls wrapped up their eight-game road swing through Ohio at 6-2 and return home to open a 10-game homestand on Friday night with Lehigh Valley. Mike Montgomery (6-1, 3.47) will aim to become the second 7-game winner in the International League, starting against Greg Smith (4-2, 3.74) at 7:05 PM ET.