Durham Bulls sweep Gwinnett Braves with 3-1 extra innings win

The Game: The Durham Bulls defeated the Gwinnett Braves 3-1 in extra innings on Wednesday night at Coolray Field. With the win, the Bulls swept the series against Gwinnett and ended the road trip with a winning record.

The Bulls broke the scoreless tie in the seventh inning. Dan Johnson started the inning with a walk. Ryan Shealy singled to center to move Johnson to second. Then Chris Richard delivered an RBI double to left to score Johnson and give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.

Gwinnett battled back to tie the game in the eighth inning. Joe Thurston hit a solo home run to right to tie the game 1-1.

The Bulls broke the tie in the tenth inning. Craig Albernaz and Joe Dillon led off the inning with back to back singles. Justin Ruggiano later delivered a two run double to right to give the Bulls a 3-1 lead. Winston Abreu took over in the bottom of the tenth to keep the Braves off the board and secure the win.

Heath Phillips pitched 7 2/3 innings and allowed 1 run on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts and a walk. Joe Bateman earned the win by pitching 1 1/3 shut-out inning with a hit and a strikeout. Winston Abreu recorded the save with a no-hit tenth inning, striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced.

Bulls Player of the Game: Justin Ruggiano; 2 for 5 with double and 2 RBI’s, struck the game winning double in the top of the tenth.

RP Top Prospect Watch: n/a

A Look Ahead: The Bulls head home for their 2010 home opener at Durham Bulls Athletic Park against the Norfolk Tides. Jeff Bennett will start against Alfredo Simon for Norfolk.