Six-run second inning propels Bulls to sweep
The Durham Bulls used a six-run second inning and a three-run third to rout the Charlotte Knights 9-1 Thursdaynight at the DBAP. The win, completed in 4 ½ innings because of rain, gave the Bulls a sweep in the four-game set.
Dayron Varona got things started for Durham (34-41) by leading off the second inning with a solo home run, his second dinger in as many games. Later in the inning, a two-out Charlotte error extended the frame and allowed Luke Maile to score from third base. Jake Hager then followed with a two-run single off the left field wall, and three batters later Varona drove home a pair with a double down the left field line to give the Bulls a commanding 6-0 lead.
In the third Durham’s onslaught continued, as the first three batters reached base safely. Jake Goebbert’s sacrifice fly scored Juniel Querecuto to extend the lead to 7-0, before Richie Shaffer’s double scored a pair for a nine-run advantage. Matt Davidson homered in the fourth for Charlotte’s lone run.
Austin Pruitt (6-4) went the distance for Durham, allowing one run on three hits across five innings. Scott Carroll (1-5) absorbed the loss for the Knights (35-40), surrendering six runs (one earned) on seven hits in 1 2/3 frames.
Varona led the offense with two hits and three RBI, while Goebbert chipped in a pair of singles in Durham’s nine-hit attack.
Durham’s seven-game homestand continues Friday when they open a three-game set with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. LHP Adam Wilk (2-7, 3.70) will make the start for Durham opposite RHP David Buchanan (3-4, 4.77) for Lehigh Valley. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Thursday’s box score
Charlotte Knights | ab | r | h | bi |
Bourgeois, LF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sanchez, 2B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Davidson, 3B | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Sands, DH | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Delmonico, 1B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Rottino, RF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Narvaez, C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Parrino, SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
May, CF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 16 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Durham Bulls | ab | r | h | bi |
Field, CF | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Hager, SS | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Goebbert, LF | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Shaffer, 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Varona, RF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Arencibia, C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Maile, DH | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Querecuto, 2B | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Seitzer, 1B | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Totals | 21 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Charlotte | 000 | 10X | XXX | — | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Durham | 063 | 0XX | XXX | — | 9 | 9 | 0 |
E — Davidson. LOB–Durham 5. 2B–Delmonico; Varona; Shaffer. HR—Davidson (9); Varona (9). SF–Goebbert.
Charlotte Knights IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | |
Carroll (L, 1-5) | 1 2/3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Clark | 1 1/3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Lollis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Totals | 4 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
Durham Bulls IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | |
Pruitt (W, 6-4) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Totals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
This story was originally published June 23, 2016 at 11:30 PM with the headline "Six-run second inning propels Bulls to sweep."