WRAL Sports Fan

Bulls

BULLS BACK ALONE IN FIRST AFTER 8-1 WIN AT GWINNETT

Jun 17, 2011

(Lawrenceville, GA) J.J. Furmaniak singled in the go-ahead run in a five-run fourth, as Durham went on to rout Gwinnett 8-1 on Saturday night. Durham (37-31) now has won two straight over the Braves (36-32) and taken a one-game lead in the South Division.

Durham scored all five of its fourth inning runs with two out against Erik Cordier (1-3). Jose Lobaton tied the game at one, scoring Dan Johnson with a single to right. After Robinson Chirinos singled to center, Furmaniak followed with a base hit to right, giving Durham the lead for good. Chirinos went to third on the hit, and Furmaniak advanced to second on the throw to third. Desmond Jennings followed with a two-run single to center, giving Durham a 4-1 lead, and chased Cordier. Durham added a fifth and final run in the inning on a bases-loaded walk to Dan Johnson.

That was more than enough for Durham's pitching staff. Alex Torres (3-5) settled down after a tough first, allowing three hits over five innings, striking out seven. Durham retired the final 15 Gwinnett hitters, and struck out 14 batters in the game. Rob Delaney, RJ Swindle and Dane De La Rosa all were perfect in relief.

Offensively, the Bulls collected 10 hits and eight walks against five different Braves pitchers. Johnson walked four times, and Chirinos had two hits and a walk.

Durham will look to take the series on Father's Day as Brian Baker meets Todd Redmond in a matchup of righties. Coverage begins at 1:50 pm, with first pitch at 2:05.