Niemann gives Bulls series lead

Right-hander strikes 11 in 8 innings

DURHAM -- After the Bulls gave up 19 runs in Game 2 of the Governor's Cup semifinals, Durham starter Jeff Niemann gave his team just what it needed.

Niemann picked up his first win of the postseason and his 10th win overall as the Bulls took a 2-1 series lead with a 3-2 win over Louisville on Saturday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

"We needed to get back on track, and I did my best out there to do that," said Niemann, who went eight innings, allowed one run on two hits, struck out 11 and walked three. "The team played great behind me, and we got a few runs early to kind of ease the pressure."

Jonny Gomes got the ball rolling for the Bulls in the bottom of the first, launching a towering shot over the Blue Monster in left on the 12th pitch of the at-bat against Louisville starter Adam Pettyjohn (15-6, 4.59 during the regular season) that drove in Jon Weber and gave the Bulls a 2-0 lead.

"In an interleague game in Pittsburgh this year, I had a 15-pitch at-bat and hit a homer to dead center," Gomes said. "In this at-bat I used the confidence from that at-bat in Pittsburgh. I stepped out and gathered myself after every pitch and it was nice to get some runs in the first. I think the hitter has the advantage in that situation to at least put the ball in play."

It was the fifth home run of the series for the Bulls.

Meanwhile, Niemann (9-5, 3.59 during the regular season) was cruising. He allowed just two baserunners and did not allow a hit until Craig Tatum doubled to lead off the eighth.

"Jeff was throwing everything for strikes," Bulls manager Charlie Montoya said. "No one could look for anything from him because he was throwing everything for strikes. It was getting to the point where he had the no-hitter and I was going to have to take him out. He was getting to that pitch count. He made a lot of big pitches."

With one out in the top of the fifth, a blackout of all but one light towers delayed the game for 19 minutes.

"I've never been a part of something like that," Niemman said. "It was just like two long innings in a row."

The Bulls' bats came out of the delay on fire. Weber reached on a single and took third on a perfectly executed hit and run by Jorge Velandia. Weber was driven in on Gomes' third RBI of the game, giving the Bulls a 3-0 lead.

Game 4 of the best-of-five series is at 5:05 p.m. today at the DBAP with Louisville's Bobby Livingston (4-4, 4.98) facing Durham's Wade Davis (4-2, 2.72). Game 5, if needed, will be on Monday at the DBAP.