Durham Defense Falters in Extra-Inning Loss

DURHAM, N.C. - The Durham Bulls allowed six unearned runs in losing an 11-inning heartbreaker, 6-5 to the Rochester Red Wings at the DBAP Wednesday night.

The Red Wings (57-48) jumped on top 2-0 in the fifth. A grounder to Vince Belnome should have ended the inning, but the ball went under his glove for a two-base error. A pair of RBI singles followed.

The Bulls (56-48) tied the game in the seventh on a two-run single by Hak-Ju Lee and pulled ahead on Mike Fontenot's two-out, bases-loaded walk in the eighth.

Rochester tied the game against closer Josh Lueke though, when Lee's two-base throwing error led to a run. It was just the second blown save of the year for Lueke.

In the tenth, Lueke threw away a sacrifice bunt attempt, allowing Rochester to pull ahead by a run. A dramatic home run over the Blue Monster by All-Star Wilson Betemit tied the game yet again in the bottom of the frame at 4-4.

Lee's second error of the night, on what should have been an inning-ending grounder, allowed Doug Bernier to hit a bases-loaded double to put the Wings on top to stay in the top of the 11^th frame. In the bottom of the inning, Durham plated a run on Mikie Mahtook's single to right field. With the tying run on second and the winning run on first, Jeremy Moore struck out to end the contest.

Edgar Ibarra (5-0), earned the win, allowing a run in an inning of work, while Lester Oliveros picked up his second save. CJ Riefenhauser (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing two runs (none earned), in 1 2/3 frames.

Overall, Durham committed a season-high five errors en route to the six unearned runs, and went just 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position while leaving 12 men on base.

The Bulls and Red Wings finish the four-game series at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. RHP Alex Colome (4-3, 3.55) starts for the Bulls against RHP Trevor May (8-5, 2.94).