Hot Bats Help Bulls Past Lehigh Valley

DURHAM – Bulls first baseman Kyle Manzardo smashed a home run and set a single-game career-high with four hits in four at-bats, while right fielder Ben Gamel homered and drove in three runs in Durham’s 5-3 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Wednesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Manzardo (4-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI) singled to right in his first plate appearance in the second before eventually scoring on Gamel’s three-run homer to right that put the Bulls ahead 4-1. One inning later Manzardo would go deep for the second straight day with a solo shot to right to make it a four-run contest before bashing a double off the left-field wall in the fifth and lacing a single to right in the seventh.

The 22-year-old, rated by MLB.com as the 68th-best overall prospect, had previously collected a career-high of three hits on eight prior occasions before besting that mark tonight. IronPigs DH Esteban Quiroz (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI) homered and was the lone batter from the away team to tally a multi-hit effort.

Durham right-hander Evan McKendry (3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO) earned the win in support of Hector Perez (3.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 5 SO). Bulls righty Heath Hembree (1.0 IP, 2 SO) notched the save with a scoreless ninth, while Lehigh Valley starter James McArthur (2.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss.

The two teams are slated to square off again on Thursday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm ET. RHP Cooper Criswell (0-1, 4.15) is anticipated to get the nod for Durham and be opposed by LHP Nick Allgeyer (0-0, 3.00)