Wander Franco Stays Red Hot in Bulls 11-2 Win

DURHAM NC – Wander Franco continued his tear at the plate. Posting a second consecutive three-RBI game as the Durham Bulls (18-8) secured a victory in game two over the Norfolk Tides (9-16) 11-2. The Bulls came out with a vengeance snapping their minuscule two-game losing streak racking up 11 runs off 12 hits. The pitching staff led by David Hess (4-0) was outstanding, allowing just three hits and one earned run. 

With Franco staying hot, he upped his season batting average to .314, delivering seven hits in the first two games versus the Tides. He went three for five at the plate with two singles and a home run. The three-run dinger came in the bottom of the fourth, smashing it over the right-field wall for his fifth of the year. The three RBI brought his total to 24. 

Vidal Brujan was productive once again, logging in two base hits scoring three runs. The two hits in the contest brought his average to .309. The offensive play from the Bulls was unstoppable, posting three runs in the first, two in the third, three in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two in the sixth. In addition, 27-year-old Wyatt Mathisen had a big evening at the plate posting a multi-hit game with two RBI and a homer. The longball was his first of the season, coming in the third inning extending the advantage to 5-1 at the time. 

It may have been a big offensive night, but the pitching went back to its old ways after struggling the night before. Dietrich Enns made his fourth start for the Bulls, giving his team 3 2/3 innings allowing two hits, two runs (one earned), four walks, and three strikeouts. Enns has had a successful campaign thus far, but he struggled with his command needing 74 pitches to get through less than four frames. Nevertheless, he earned the no-decision and still supports a respectable 1-0 record with a 2.37 ERA in 19 innings. The only damage done for the Tides came in the first from a Tyler Nevin RBI single and a fielding error in the fourth that caused Willy Yahn to reach base and Zach Jarrett to score.

The Bullpen closed the door the rest of the way with Chris Mazza, David Hess, and Brian Moran making appearances. The three flame throwers combined for a total of 5 1/3 innings of work with a lone hit and a walk, and eight punchouts to close out the 11-2 win.

The Bulls will attempt to snatch their 19th victory of the season, hosting the Tides once again on Thursday, June 3rd, at Durham Bulls Atheltic Park.