WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls Fall at Norfolk, 2-0, End Four Game Win Streak

May 2, 2007

Jason Hammel fanned 10 in six innings, but the Bulls four-game win streak came to an end in a 2-0 loss at Norfolk.

Hammel (1-2), who did not walk a batter, allowed two-out run scoring hits in the second and sixth innings to Terry Tiffee and Jon Knott. Hammel now has allowed two runs or less in four of six starts, but has received a loss or a no-decision in all of those outings. In his last two starts, the Bulls have been shut out.

Durham, now 11-15, dropped the opening game of a six-game road trip. The Bulls managed just four hits against three Norfolk pitchers, three of them from first baseman Wes Bankston.

Former Bull Rob Bell (1-0) worked the first five innings to win his first appearance of the season. Todd Williams, part of the 2003 championship team with Durham, pitched the final two innings for his first save this season.

Durham still had a chance, with runners in scoring position in the 7th and 9th innings. Jim Johnson struck out Justin Ruggiano to end the 7th with runners at second and third. Williams got Shawn Riggans and Dustan Mohr to fly out with runners at first and third in the final frame. Durham now has been shut out five times in 26 games.

The Bulls will look to bounce back on Wednesday as lefty J.P. Howell (1-3) starts for Durham against Jon Leicester.