WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls Drop Rain-Shortened Game to Norfolk

May 2, 2007

J.P. Howell retired 19 of 20 hitters after a tough start, a start the Bulls couldn't overcome in a 4-1 rain-shortened seven-inning loss at Norfolk on Wednesday.

Howell gave up two homers in a four-run first to the Tides' Mike Cervenak and Jon Knott, but then settled down to retire the next 16 straight. Jason Dubois then doubled to start the seventh, but Howell got the next three hitters in order. Howell allowed a season-low five hits and no walks while striking out seven.

Unfortunately, the Bulls, who lost 2-0 the prior night, scored just one run in seven innings against righties Jon Leicester and Steve Green. Durham had runners on in each inning, scoring in the fourth when Wes Bankston doubled to right center, and came home on Chris Richard's single to left center.

Richard was 3-for-3 with a double and Jorge Velandia had two of Durham's seven hits. The Bulls (11-16) left nine runners on base.

Durham, which has dropped the first two-games of a six-game road trip, will try to bounce back on Thursday afternoon at 12:15 as RHP Jeff Niemann takes the mound against RHP Tim Kester.