WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls' Bats Pummel Tides, Win 9-3

May 8, 2007

The Bulls used a five-run second inning, powered by Dustan Mohr's lead off home run and Justin Ruggiano's gland slam, to defeat the Tides, 9-3 on Tuesday evening at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The Tides struck first, scoring a run in the first inning when Mike Cervanak drove in J.R. House with a base hit, but the Bulls answered in the bottom half of the inning when Velandia and Chris Richard both singled to give the Bulls runners on the corners, allowing Ruggiano to drive in Velandia to tie the game at one.

Durham put the game away in the second inning. After Mohr's home run and Elliot Johnson's ground out, Matthew Maniscalco doubled, Jorge Velandia singled, and Chris Richard was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Ruggiano, who sent the ball over the Blue Monster to give the Bulls an early 6-1 lead.

The Bulls added a run each in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. Eight of the nine runs came off Tides starter Tim Kester (1-3) who gave up 11 hits and walk while striking out one.

Velandia went four for five at the plate, while Ruggiano and Shawn Riggans both went three for five. Starter Jeff Niemann (3-1) earned the win after allowing two runs off eight hits and two walks, while striking out five in six innings of work.

The Bulls and Tides will meet again on Wednesday morning at 11 AM for Education Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.