WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Mud Hens Stymie Bulls, Win 10-2

Apr 21, 2007

The Mud Hens scored early and often and Toledo starter Virgil Vasquez (2-2) struck out 10 to keep the Bulls off of the scoreboard en route to a 10-2 victory over the Bulls on a beautiful Saturday evening at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

After scoring one run in the second, the Mud Hens scored four runs off of Bulls starter J.P. Howell (0-3). Second baseman Kevin Hooper singled, center fielder Brent Clevlen reached on a fielding error by Bulls shortstop Jorge Velandia, and designated hitter Tim Perez managed a bunt to load the bases. Left fielder Ryan Raburn doubled to left field to drive in a pair, then Mike Hessman drew a walk to reload the bases. David Espinosa hit into a fielder's choice scoring Perez and advancing the other runners. Howell tried to pick off Espinosa at first, but Raburn stole home to make the score 5-0.


The Mud Hens expanded their lead further when Hooper hit a solo shot in the fourth inning and Hessman hit a two-run homer in the fifth to give Toledo an 8-0 lead.

On the mound, Vasquez allowed just four hits and a walk in six innings of work, in addition to his 10 strikeouts. He retired the side in the second and struck all three batters out in the third. Howell allowed eight runs (four earned) as the Bulls defense committed four errors behind him.

The Bulls did not score until the eighth inning when second baseman Elliot Johnson hit his first home run of the season off of reliever Jeremy Johnson. Raleigh resident Brent Butler, who was recently added to the roster, saw his first action of the season replacing, Velandia in the bottom of the fifth. Butler hit a sacrifice fly to bring home catcher Raul Casanova in the ninth, earning his first RBI of the year.

The Bulls and Mud Hens will meet again on Sunday evening at 5 PM at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.