WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Braves Shut Out Bulls, Snap Win Streak

May 11, 2007

Durham, N.C. — The Richmond Braves snapped the Durham Bulls' four-game winning streak and held them to just five hits Friday in a 3-0 victory at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Pitcher Jason Hammel (1-4) got off to a shaky start, walking lead-off batter Gregor Blanco and giving up back-to-back base hits to Martin Prado and Yunel Escobar to load the bases. Blanco scored on a fielder's choice grounder from cleanup hitter Doug Clark to give the Braves a 1-0 lead, but Clark was caught stealing and Bill McCarthy grounded out to end the inning.

The Braves added to their lead in the third, as Escobar drove home Jon Schuerholz on a fielder's choice grounder, and Doug Clark's base hit drove home Blanco.

Hammel struck out five and ended the night after giving up three runs on six hits and two walks in seven innings.

Richmond pitcher Buddy Carlyle (5-1) stuck out nine batters in 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks. He was relieved by Blaine Boyer, who kept the Bulls' bats silent through two innings, allowing only Jorge Velandia to reach base on a walk.

The Bulls generated the most offense off of Manny Acosta, who gave up hits to Shawn Riggans and Dustan Mohr in the bottom of the ninth. But Acosta escaped without allowing a run and earned the save.