Bulls Drop Game One Against Nashville

DURHAM, N.C – The IL-East leading Durham Bulls dropped game one of a six-game series against the IL-West leading Nashville Sounds 10-7 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Nashville Sounds first baseman Jon Singleton did the majority of the damage on the night with 3 runs batted in. 

Nashville (70-46) jumped to an early lead of 2-0 as Durham Bulls (66-51) pitcher, Taj Bradley, threw a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Jon Singleton drove a line drive to center field to bring in Estuary Ruiz to take an early 2-0.

The Sounds would get another pair of runs in the second inning as third baseman Patrick Dorrian crushed his 6th home run of the season followed by a Brian Navarreto single to send home right fielder Joey Wiemer to give the IL West leaders a 4-0 lead over the home team. 

Durham would bounce back with their own trio of runs after second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni doubled to left field to bring home Xavier Edwards. First baseman Jonathan Aranda singled to center field to bring home Brujan and Mastrobuoni to cut the score deficit to 1.

Jon Singleton attempted to pad the lead with a sacrifice fly that brought home Esteury Ruiz to give the Sounds a 5-3 advantage.

Durham countered with three runs of their own as Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe drove a fly ball over the center field wall to give Durham a 6-5 lead while in town on an MLB rehab assignment.

Nashville took the lead in the 7th inning with a big fourth-run effort to take a 9-6 lead and never looked back. Jonathan Aranda knocked another run home for Durham on a fielder’s choice to give Durham their 7th run of the game. The Sounds would tag on the 10th run on a double steal attempt in which Weston Wilson went from first base to second base while Brice Turang went from third base to home.

Nashville relief pitcher Luis Perdomo secured the save with three consecutive outs to stop Durham’s comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth inning, getting Vidal Brujan to line out to end the game

Hobie Harris (4-3, 1.88 ERA) finished the game with the win for Nashville. Perdomo locked in his fourth successful save attempt of the season. Chris Muller (4-2, 4.89 ERA) earned his second loss of the season on his 6th blown save opportunity of the season, allowing four hits and four runs in only one inning of action

Tough loss for The Bulls prior to Durham winning 10 of their last 13 games dating back to August 7.

The Durham Bulls return to action on Wednesday as they face Nashville in game two of the six-game series at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 6:35 PM.