WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls Collect 14 Hits, Beat Norfolk 7-4

May 3, 2007

Durham (12-16) pounded out 14 hits on Thursday in a 7-4 win at Norfolk. Wes Bankston had three hits including his third homer to help Durham win its first in three games against the Tides.

The offense was enough to help RHP Jeff Niemann (2-1) win his second straight start on a rainy day in Norfolk. After the Bulls gave Niemann a 3-0 lead in the second on a Brent Butler single and a two-run single by Jorge Velandia, Niemann battled out of a bases-loaded no-out jam, allowing just a run to make it 3-1.

Durham then added to its lead on a Bankston two-run homer off RHP Tim Kester (1-2). Niemann, who pitched into the sixth for the first time in Triple-A, walked two in the sixth and allowed a hit, leaving for Scott Dohmann. Norfolk got within one on a throwing error and a wild pitch at 5-4.

However, Dohmann got out of the sixth, and the Durham bullpen didn't allow a hit thereafter.

The Bulls added to their lead in the seventh on an Elliott Johnson homer, and then made it 7-4 in the ninth on a two-single from Chris Richard.

Bankston and Justin Ruggiano each had two hits. Nine different Bulls had a hit, and seven different Bulls scored. Chad Orvella got the final out in the eighth and worked the ninth for his fourth save.

The Bulls will try an earn a split of the four-game series on Friday as RHP Andy Sonnanstine takes the mound against LHP Garrett Olson.