Durham, NC - The Bulls wrapped up a four-game series with Lehigh Valley in walk-off fashion, downing the IronPigs 3-2 on a two-run double by J.J. Furmaniak in the ninth inning. It was the first walk-off win for the Bulls this season and tied them with Columbus for the best record in the International League at 46-31.
The Bulls allowed a pair of runs in the second inning to fall behind 2-0. An error by Bulls 3B Joe Dillon allowed John Mayberry to reach to start the inning, and he advanced to second on a single by Andy Tracy. One batter later, Domonic Brown grounded an RBI single into centerfield and Melvin Dorta followed with another RBI single to put the IronPigs in front by two.
After being unable to get to Lehigh Valley right-hander Drew Carpenter through 6.0 shutout innings, the Bulls finally got on the board against the bullpen in the seventh. A one-out double by Desmond Jennings put a runner in scoring position, and Furmaniak followed with a bloop single to centerfield to bring the run home.
It would be the same duo in the ninth that sent the fans at Durham Bulls Athletic Park home happy. Pinch hitter Jose Lobaton singled with one out against Ryan Vogelsong to start the rally, and Jennings singled to put runners at the corners for Furmaniak. After falling behind in the count 0-2, Furmaniak laced a high fastball into the left-centerfield gap that rolled to the wall. Chavez, who pinch ran for Lobaton, scored to tie the game and Jennings followed with the game winning tally to give the Bulls their 46th victory of the season.
Darin Downs picked up the win for Durham, tossing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief allowing one hit and two walks while also striking out one. The Bulls took three of four from the IronPigs over the weekend, their 15th series win of the season.
Tomorrow, the Louisville Bats come to town as the start of a four-game set at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. RHP Virgil Vasquez (2-0, 5.28) takes the mound for the Bulls in his first start since coming off the DL. He will be matched up with Reds RHP Edinson Volquez, making a rehab start for the Bats. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
Trivial correction — it was the second walk-off of the year. Previous one a very fogettable, 12 inning, miserable weather marathon back in mid-April.
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