WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls Win Thriller in Ninth, 2-1

Apr 29, 2007

Shawn Riggans hit a two-out line drive just over the head of Knights second baseman Kenny Perez to score Chris Richard in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Bulls a 2-1 victory on Sunday evening at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Trailing 1-0 in the ninth, Elliot Johnson led the inning off with a walk, and moved into scoring position on Jorge Velandia's sacrifice bunt. Johnson scored the tying run when Richard singled to center. Charlotte RHP Ryan Bukvich intentionally walked cleanup hitter Wes Bankston and struck out Joel Guzman, then Riggans delivered game winning single.

RHP Steve Andrade (1-0) picked up the victory pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Starter Mitch Talbot rebounded from a rough outing his last time on the hill to pitch seven innings allowing only one run on five hits with four strikeouts. RHP Ryan Buckvich (1-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

The Bulls are off on Monday, then hit the road against Norfolk for a four-game series beginning on Tuesday.