Durham Bulls Come Up Short in Home Opener

The Durham Bulls season home opener was set to take place on April 6th, 2021, but due to the threat of COVID-19, the game was delayed until May 11th. State guidelines allowed the Bulls to open their stadium at 50% capacity on Tuesday, seeing stands in attendance for the first time in over a year.

The Bulls might have gotten the jitters early, as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp looked to spoil their season opener. Durham’s pitching struggled early as starting pitcher Joe Ryan gave up three unanswered runs for the Bulls.

Jacksonville started with a bang with a two-run shot from their right fielder Jesús Sánchez early in the first. The Jumbo Shrimp controlled a 4-0 lead through the 4th, as the Bulls went hitless for four straight innings.

At the start of the 4th, Jacksonville’s centerfielder, Monte Harrison, sent a rocket off the blue monster for a two-RBI triple, extending Jacksonville’s lead to 4-0. The Bulls tried to get something going in the 4th, getting their first hit on a single from Josh Lowe, who would score from a Taylor Walls groundout, ending the inning 4-1.

After a rough hitting night, Wander Franco hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to bring the Bulls within two. A soaring solo shot from Dalton Kelly revived the Bulls’ hopes, only down by one run in the bottom of the 9th. Despite leading the Minors in RBIs, Vidal Bruján struck out swinging on a full count, ending the Bulls’ night and their hopes of a comeback in their season opener.

Josh Lowe – CF (DUR): H, R, SB, BB
Jesús Sánchez – RF (JAX): HR, 2 RBI, 2R
Monte Harrison – CF (JAX): 3B, 2 RBI

Loss: Joe Ryan (1-1)
Win: Preston Guilmet (1-1)
Save: Steven Okert (2)