The Bulls double up Rochester, 6-3.
DURHAM, N.C. — The Rochester Red Wings lost their third straight game to the Durham Bulls, 6-3, on Thursday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Bulls hurler Jake Faria continued the club’s recent run of great pitching as the right-hander tossed a season-best seven scoreless innings.
The California native allowed just one baserunner to reach second base while limiting the Red Wings to five total baserunners and striking out six. The Bulls’ lineup meanwhile provided plenty of support, as they posted their second straight 10-hit performance en route to taking three out of four in their series against Rochester.
The Bulls established control of the game early, with a bases loaded, RBI hit-by-pitch by Curt Casali and a two-RBI single from Mike Marjama giving the home team a 3-0 lead in the first. While Faria faced the minimum of nine batters through the first three frames, Durham extended their lead to 4-0 when Jake Bauers singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch in the home half of the third.
The score remained the same through the top of the seventh, as Faria retired seven of the final eight batters he faced. The Bulls then tacked on their final two runs in the bottom of the frame with a two-out, two-RBI base knock off the bat of Bauers for a 6-0 Durham advantage.
Rochester got back in the game with three runs on four hits against the Bulls’ pen in the top of the eighth. Bengie Gonzalez drove in Leonardo Reginatta on a ground out, and Niko Goodrum singled home Gonzalez and Zack Granite.
Faria (6-1) tied for the International League lead with his sixth win of the season, while Ames (1) picked up his first save. Red Wings starter Nik Turley (0-2) took the loss after giving up four runs on seven hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts over six innings pitched.
Bauers led the Bulls’ bats with a perfect 3-3 game including two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk, while Johnny Field went 3-4 with a double, a run scored, and a walk.
The Wings continue their road trip with a weekend series in Norfolk, VA. against the Tides starting Friday night.