Bulls Drop Series Opener At Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. – Bulls shortstop Osleivis Basabe clubbed two hits and drove in two runs, while four other Durham hitters posted multi-hit efforts, however Tides shortstop Joey Ortiz, center fielder Colton Cowser and right fielder Josh Lester combined for six hits and ten runs driven in as part of Norfolk’s 12-8 win over Durham on Tuesday evening at Harbor Park.

After the Tides got on the board with three runs over the first two innings, Basabe put the Bulls on the board with a two-run single to left in the third. Norfolk would then plate a trio of tallies in the third to make it 6-2, though Durham would claw their way back thanks in part to RF Ruben Cardenas’ RBI single in the fourth and CF Kameron Misner’s run-scoring double in the sixth.

LF Niko Hulsizer evened the contest in the seventh with a single to right-center, however the Tides answered right back with five runs in the last of the seventh to open up a five-run advantage. 1B Kyle Manzardo’s sacrifice fly would narrow Durham’s deficit to four, however the Bulls were not able to narrow that margin any further.

In addition to Basabe (2-5, 2 RBI, BB), Manzardi (2-3, 2 2B, RBI, BB), Hulsizer (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), Misner (2-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB) and C Rene Pinto (2-5, R) all posted two-hit efforts in the defeat. Six of the nine batters in the Bulls order also drove in at least one run including Hulsizer, who has driven in ten runs over his last three contests.

Norfolk reliever Darwinzon Hernandez (0.2 IP, R, ER, 4 BB, SO) earned the victory and southpaw Nick Vespi (1.2 IP, BB, 2 SO) notched his third save. Durham lefty Jose Lopez (1.0 IP, R, ER, BB, SO) suffered the loss.

The two teams are set to continue their six-game road series on Wednesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm. RHP Elvin Rodriguez is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls and is slated to be opposed by LHP Drew Rom.