Bulls Complete Sweep, Drop Buffalo 8-3

[Game recap from Durham Bulls official website.]

The Bulls completed a four-game sweep of Buffalo with a 8-3 victory Friday night in front of 10,662 fans at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Desmond Jennings had three hits and Angel Chavez went 4-for-4 with three RBI while Aneury Rodriguez picked up his third win of the season.

The Bulls struck for three runs in the third inning with a two-out rally against Bison starter Pat Misch. Jennings got things started with a triple over the head of the centerfielder, and Elliot Johnson walked before Matt Joyce drove home a run with an RBI double. With runners at second and third, Chavez poked a ball that stayed just fair down the line in left, bringing home two more runs and giving the Bulls a 3-0 lead.

The offense added a run in the fifth, and a pair in both the sixth and seventh innings off Misch and reliever Jose De La Torre. Jennings doubled and scored in the fifth inning, and brought home another run in the sixth with an RBI double for his third extra base hit of the game. The Bulls centerfielder also drew a bases loaded walk in the seventh inning, capping off the night with his 14th RBI of the season.

JJ Furmaniak and Elliot Johnson also had RBI singles for the Bulls on the night, which pounded out 13 hits against Buffalo pitching.

With a strong offensive output from his offense, Aneury Rodriguez did his part to keep the Buffalo offense in check most of the night. The Bulls right-hander made it through the first six innings unscathed, before allowing two runs in the seventh. He finished the night after 6.1 innings of work, walking one and allowing four hits while striking out six.

R.J. Swindle came on to finish the seventh inning, allowing a two-run double by Josh Thole before getting out of the inning without anymore damage. Brian Baker finished out the game for Durham, allowing one earned run over the final two frames to finish off the sweep.

It was the second time this season the Bulls have swept a four-game series, and have won five in a row overall moving 14 games above .500 for the season at 38-24.

The Bulls will open up a two-game set with Gwinnett tomorrow at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, as Richard De Los Santos (5-2 3.77) takes on Braves RHP Todd Redmond (6-5, 4.15). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.