Durham Bulls suffer 7-6 extra innings loss to Rochester Red Wings

The Game: The Durham Bulls dropped their fourth straight game, falling to the Rochester Red Wings 7-6 in extra innings on Sunday at Frontier Field.

The Bulls took a lead in the third inning. Fernando Perez and Justin Ruggiano drew walks to put two runners on the bases. Dan Johnson cleared the bases with a three run homer to put them ahead 3-0.

The Bulls struck again in the fourth on a Johnson home run. This time it was Elliot Johnson striking a two run blast to put the Bulls in front 5-0.

Rochester battled back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Danny Valencia reached on an error to lead off the inning. Brock Peterson drew a walk then later scored on a two run triple by Dustin Martin. Allan De San Miguel followed with a two run homer to pull the Red Wings to within a run of the lead 5-4.

Rochester tied the game on a solo home run by Matt Marci in the seventh. Neither club added a run in the remaining innings of regulation and forced extra frames.

The Bulls plated a run in the eleventh inning. Joe Dillon singled on a line drive to left to put a runner on the bases. Then Ryan Shealy drove him home with a double to center to give the Bulls a 6-5 lead.

But Rochester struck for two runs in the bottom of the eleventh on a two run double by Brock Peterson to give them a walk-off extra innings win 7-5.

Carlos Hernandez pitched 7 innings and allowed 5 runs (only 1 earned) on 3 hits with 5 strikeouts and a walk. Dale Thayer pitched 2 shut-out innings in relief, striking out 3 in the process. Winston Abreu was charged with the loss, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

Bulls Player of the Game: Carlos Hernandez; only allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits in 7 innings on the mound.

RP Top Prospect Watch:
Desmond Jennings: no plate appearance, defensive substitution in the tenth inning.

A Look Ahead: The Bulls (15-10) will face Rochester (11-13) in game three of the four game set on Monday night at Frontier Field. Jeremy Hellickson (4-0, 2.57) will get the ball for Durham against Charlie Zink (0-0, 3.60) of Rochester.