WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls Down Tides 5-3 to Take Series

May 10, 2007

Durham, N.C. — Jeremy Owens' two out, two-run double in the fourth proved to be the difference as the Bulls swept their four-game series with the Norfolk Tides, winning 5-3 Thursday night before a crowd of over 9,600 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The Bulls jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. With one out, Wes Bankston doubled to right, scoring Chris Richard. Raul Casanova then plated Justin Ruggiano with an RBI-groundout.

The Tides got on the board in the top of the fourth when J.R. House homered, but the Bulls responded in the bottom half of the inning. With Casanova on first and two outs, Dustan Mohr doubled to left to give the Bulls two runners in scoring position. Norfolk intentionally walked Elliot Johnson, but Owens made them pay as he hit a liner to center field to give the Bulls a 4-1 lead. Ruggiano, who went 2-4 on the night and extended his hitting streak to eight games, added an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI single.

RHP Mitch Talbot (2-4) picked up the victory, giving up just two runs on three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. He was relieved in the seventh by Ruddy Lugo, who gave up a run and two hits in his first appearance with the Bulls. Seth McClung earned the save after striking out three and giving up just a hit and a walk in the final two innings.

Tides starter Jim Johnson (1-2) took the loss for Norfolk as he gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks, while striking out five.

The Bulls begin a four-game series with the Richmond Braves on Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.