Danny Salazar helped pitch Columbus past Durham as the Clippers hung on for a 2-1 win at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Clippers quickly jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Matt Carson plated a run with an RBI single in the top of the second. From there, Columbus righty Danny Salazar shut down Durham by blanking the Bulls on two hits in five innings of work. Another run would cross the plate for Columbus in the top of the sixth when Chun Chen plated a second run with an RBI double to left.
The Bulls nearly tied the game when a deep Shelly Duncan fly ball bounced off the glove of the outfielder Carson who went up against the wall. Instead of a two run homer, it was an RBI double for Duncan. Fortunately, Clippers lefty Clay Rapada (S, 2) retired Durham’s Leslie Anderson on a groundout to second for the final out of the game.
Salazar (W, 2-2) received the victory for Columbus. Mike Montgomery (L, 4-2) took the loss for the Bulls.
Four Durham pitchers perplexed the Clippers as the Bulls took the second game of a doubleheader via a 5-0 shutout of Columbus at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Bulls were the first team to crack the scoreboard in the bottom of the third with the aid of a Jesus Flores RBI double to left. They later added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth with the help of a Shelley Duncan RBI double and a Leslie Anderson RBI single. Duncan would also come around to score on a double play ball during the frame.
On the pitching side, a quartet of Bulls pitchers was on point all night long. Corey Wade, Adam Liberatore, C.J. Riefenhauer, and Josh Lueke combined for a two hit, seven inning shutout, striking out seven and walking two during that time. It enabled the Bulls to earn a split in Monday’s doubleheader. Liberatore (W, 4-1) got the win for Durham. Boof Bonser (L, 0-1) was the losing pitcher for Columbus.
The Clippers will wrap up their four game series with Durham on Tuesday night. Japanese righty Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-4, 4.54) will start on the mound for Columbus. The Bulls will tap the services of right-hander Matt Buschman (2-0, 2.93). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
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