Durham Bulls Season Opener Slips Away

WRALSportsFan

Durham Bulls Season Opener Slips Away

Apr 6, 2007

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Durham, N.C. — On a chilly night at the DBAP, Jason Hammel's bid for his second combined no-hitter slipped away in the eighth inning as the Syracuse Chiefs downed the Bulls, 2-1 on Thursday night.

The no-hitter ended when reliever Chad Orvella allowed a base hit to Syracuse designated hitter John-Ford Griffin. Griffin came around to score to tie the game at one, then smacked a line drive double in the ninth off of Jeff Ridgway, scoring Mike Vento for the go-ahead run.

The Bulls only run came in the first inning. Leadoff batter Elliot Johnson reached base on a throwing error by Chiefs shortstop Ray Olmedo, then stole second base to get into scoring position. Left fielder Chris Richard came through with a base hit to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.

Hammel pitched five innings without giving up a hit or walk while striking out five. Errors in the field eliminated the possibility of a combined perfect game, but Tim Corcoran preserved the possibility of a combined no-hitter by pitching two perfect innings. Last season, Hammel tossed 8.1 innings of no-hit ball in a game against Columbus on July 16. Juan Salas, who is now with Tampa Bay, pitched the final two-thirds to secure the combined no-hitter.

Hammel's counterpart on the Chiefs, Dustin McGowan struck out eight in five innings of work, allowing two hits, two walks, and one unearned run. Ismael Ramirez entered in the sixth and gave up one hit. Relievers Brian Tallet, Matt Roney (1-0), and Ryan Houston (who earned the save), pitched three innings of no-hit ball while striking out six.

Jeff Ridgway (0-1) took the loss for the Bulls.