WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls Start Homestand With a Win

May 7, 2007

Solid pitching and a well-rounded hitting performance from the Bulls lineup produced a 7-4 win over Norfolk on Monday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Bulls banged out 11 hits, including three from Justin Ruggiano and home runs from Chris Richard and Elliot Johnson on the night.

Durham got on the board in the 2nd inning on Johnson's fourth home run of the season, then put a three-spot on the board in the third on Chris Richard's fifth home run and a two-run single by third baseman Joel Guzman to make it 4-0. Norfolk responded with four runs in the sixth inning highlighted by Alberto Castillo's first home run of the year.

The Bulls took the lead for good in the seventh inning on an RBI-single by Ruggiano to make it 5-4. They tacked on another pair of runs in the eighth inning on a bunt single by Elliot Johnson, who then scored later in the inning on an error by Norfolk first baseman J.R. House.

LHP J.P. Howell (2-4) picked up the win pitching seven innings and allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out eight. Scott Dohmann notched his first save of the season with two scoreless innings in relief. RHP Sean Tracey (0-1) took the loss allowing one run on two hits in one inning of work.

The Bulls and Norfolk continue their series on Tuesday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.