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Toledo Wins Record 16-Inning Game

Apr 22, 2007

Durham, N.C. — Ramon Santiago's RBI-single in the top of the 16th inning ignited a three-run rally for the Mudhens as they beat the Durham Bulls, 7-4 in the longest game in Durham Bulls Athletic Park history on Sunday evening.

First baseman Chris Shelton and third baseman Mike Hessman led the inning off with hits and moved into scoring position. Shelton scored on Santiago's base hit then, Hessman was brought home on a sacrifice bunt from catcher Andrew Graham. Santiago himself scored on a base hit from second baseman Kevin Hooper to round out the scoring.

Tim Corcoran (1-1) gave up all three runs on four hits to take the loss for the Bulls. Ian Ostlund (1-0), just called up from Double-A Erie this afternoon, shut the Bulls down in the bottom half of the inning to end the game.

Hessman, who hit a solo home run to left in the second to give the Mud Hens a 3-0 lead, had put the Mud Hens ahead 4-3 in the top of the twelfth with a home run to right, but the Bulls were able to respond. Brent Butler hit a two-out double and was brought home on a base hit from first baseman Jorge Cantu to tie the game at four.

The Mud Hens had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning off of a two run home run from right fielder Timo Perez. The Bulls closed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the second when designated hitter Wes Bankston singled to left and Joel Guzman followed with a home run to left center field.

The Bulls tied the game at three in the eighth when a line drive from Guzman scored Cantu from third. Cantu had hit a double and moved to third on a base hit from Bankston.

The Mud Hens used eight pitchers; the Bulls used six. Toledo starter Ron Chiavacci struck out 10 in six innings of work, and the Toledo bullpen picked up 11 more. Bulls starter Jeff Niemann struck out eight in five innings, and the Durham bullpen added 10 more. Six of those strikeouts came at the expense of Toledo center fielder Brent Clevlen, who went 0-7.

The Columbus Clippers arrive for a Monday night game against the Bulls at 7PM at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. For tickets, go to www.durhambulls.com or call the box office at (919) 956-BULL.

Notes: The 16 inning contest tied the Bulls Triple-A record for their longest game. The Bulls beat Buffalo, 3-2 on June 4, 2006 in 16 innings on the back end of a double-header.