Durham Bulls Lose 7-6 To Louisville Bats

[Via email from the Durham Bulls Director of Media Relations Matt DeMargel.]

A costly error and four hits off closer Dale Thayer caused the Bulls to blow a four-run lead in the top of the ninth as they fell to the Louisville Bats, 7-6 on Tuesday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

With the score 6-2, Thayer was brought in to close out Louisville in the ninth. Former Bull Wes Bankston singled up the middle to start off Louisville’s rally. With one out and a runner on first, Louisville’s Danny Dorn singled to first baseman Chris Richard, who attempted to throw to second to begin a possible game-ending double play but the throw went wide of shortstop Reid Brignac allowing Dorn to reach first safely and advanced Bankston to second.

Louisville plated two more runs before another former Bull, Jonny Gomes, came up to bat with two outs, runners on second and third, and the score 6-5. Gomes doubled on a line drive to left, putting Louisville on top 7-6.

Thayer picked up his first loss of the season after giving up four hits and five runs, four of those runs coming unearned. Starter David Price went 4.2 innings allowing two earned runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Four more members of the Durham bullpen made appearances, all combining to hold Louisville scoreless while only allowing two hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

After falling behind by two in the top of the first, Durham’s offense was able to score six unanswered runs including two solo homeruns in the fifth from Ray Olmedo and Chris Nowak to take a 6-2 lead after eight. Nowak went 3-4 with two runs scored and a RBI.

This loss now moves the club from to Durham to 18-14 on the season and comes as their first loss to begin a homestand this season. They will look to bounce back tomorrow as righty Wade Davis takes the mound with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.