Bulls Shut-out Syracuse 4-0 with Four Run Eighth

[Game recap provided by Bull's Neil Solondz.]

(Syracuse, NY) Jeremy Hellickson extended his scoreless string to 21 innings, and J.J. Furmaniak delivered the key hit in a four-run eighth to help the Bulls win 4-0 at Syracuse on Friday. Durham (32-23) has won three straight, and is 4-1 on an eight-game road trip.

Hellickson threw six scoreless innings, despite allowing 10 base runners. He gave up a season-high five walks, battling a small strike zone that saw 21 walks between the two teams. He left after reaching his pitch limit.

Durham broke the scoreless tie in the eighth against Syracuse's Jason Bergmann (2-2). Desmond Jennings reached on Syracuse's third error of the night on a hard smash to Pedro Lopez at short. Jennings was sacrificed to second and Fernando Perez walked. Furmaniak then ripped a double to right-center, scoring both runners for a 2-0. Elliot Johnson followed with a run-scoring double for a 3-0 advantage. Later in the inning Ron Villone walked Angel Chavez with the bases loaded, forcing home the final run.

Mike Ekstrom (2-0), who pitched a scoreless seventh, got the win, and Winston Abreu pitched the final two innings as Durham posted its league-leading fifth shutout of the season.

Durham managed six hits to go along with the 12 walks the team drew. Elliott Johnson was 3-for-6 with two stolen bases.

Durham, which has a season-high 6.5 game lead in the South Division, will send LHP Heath Phillips to the mound on Saturday against RHP Jeff Mandel. Coverage on 620 the Buzz begins at 6:50, with first pitch at 7:05.