WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Bulls Down Braves With Two-Hitter and Two Home Runs

May 14, 2007

RHP Andy Sonnnanstine pitched seven strong innings while Brent Butler and Elliot Johnson powered the Bulls offense with solo home runs in the second inning to defeat Richmond, 3-1 on Monday afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Sonnanstine carried a no hitter into the sixth inning, but Gregor Blanco ended the bid with a soft infield single to shortstop Ben Zobrist. Graham Koonce hit his third home run in as many games for the Braves only run in the seventh to make it a 2-1 game.

Butler's home run was his first of the season and Johnson's homer tied him with Chris Richard for the team lead at five. Jeremy Owens added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh when he attempted to steal second base. Iker Franco's throw from the plate sailed over second base and slipped past Blanco, allowing Owens to extend the lead to 3-1.

Sonnnanstine (5-2) struck out 10 and allowed just two hits, two walks, and a run in seven innings. RHP Seth McClung pitched the final two innings for the Bulls to earn the save, striking out four and not allowing any hits or walks. Braves LHP Macay McBride (1-2) left the game after five innings after giving up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts.

The Bulls will hit the road for a 13-day road trip to take on Pawtucket, Syracuse, and Rochester for four games each. They will return to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to face Ottawa on Monday evening, May 28 at 5 PM.