2-run bloop hit enough to defeat Durham Bulls
A wind-blown pop fly scored two runs in the first to lead the Columbus Clippers by the Durham Bulls 3-1 in the opening game of Saturday’s doubleheader. The second game was postponed because of inclement field conditions.
Former Bulls outfielder Jerry Sands went 3-for-3 to lead Columbus (40-35) to its fifth win over the Bulls (40-35) without a loss. Sands lofted a two-out pop-up in the first against rehabbing starter Matt Moore. With runners at second and third breaking on contact, the pop-up was blown away from first baseman Richie Shaffer, and second baseman Ryan Brett saw the ball land well wide of him to score two runs.
Brett homered in the fourth against Jarrett Grube to draw the Bulls within a 2-1 score.
In the fifth, Alexi Casilla threw away a would-be inning-ending double play grounder, allowing Jesus Aguilar to single home an unearned run to push the lead to 3-1.
Shawn Armstrong worked two innings to earn his 10th save in 11 opportunities.
Moore threw 94 pitches over five innings, fanning eight and walking three. Moore permitted five hits and three runs (two earned), in what could be his last major league rehab start. Moore underwent Tommy John surgery in April, 2014.
Between games, both managers, along with crew chief Carlos Torres and the GM of the Clippers assessed the outfield conditions, which were deemed unplayable due to rain on Friday and a constant mist throughout the opener of the doubleheader.
Consequently, the Bulls and Clippers will attempt to play two on Sunday beginning at 4:05 p.m.
Saturday’s box score
Durham | ab | r | h | bi |
Powell, LF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Brett, 2B | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Motter, RF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Brown, CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mahtook, DH | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Shaffer, 1B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Belnome, 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wilson, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Lee, SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Casilla, SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 25 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Columbus | ab | r | h | bi |
Naquin, DH | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Ramirez, 2B | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Aguilar, 1B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Chisenhall, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sands, RF | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Moncrief, PR-RF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ramsey, LF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Holt, CF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Walters, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hayes, C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Totals | 22 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
Durham | 000 | 100 | 0 | — | 1 | 5 | 2 |
Columbus | 200 | 010 | X | — | 3 | 6 | 0 |
E — Casilla 2. DP–Durham. LOB–Durham 4, Columbus 5. 2B–Motter, Ramirez, Hayes. HR—Brett (3). SF–xx. SB–xx. CS— Brett, Holt.
DurhamIP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | |
Moore (L 0-2) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Miller | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
ColumbusIP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | |
Grube (W 2-0) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
Armstrong | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
T-2:00.
This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 10:00 PM with the headline "2-run bloop hit enough to defeat Durham Bulls."