After a two-run first inning, and four Bulls reaching base, the opening frame Tuesday night seemed as though another 16-hit game was not a stretch of the imagination—but Louisville had other plans.
An hour and 46 minute rain delay only prolonged the eventual outcome. After giving up the two runs in the first inning, the Bats shut down the Bulls in the remaining eight innings en route to a 5-2 victory.
Left-handed starting pitcher Mike Montgomery (3-1, 4.50) who dealt seven hitless innings in his previous start, against Indianapolis on June 7, went six innings Tuesday night giving up five runs, 10 hits, struck out four and gave up one walk.
Montgomery looked sharp for the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. After two hits and a walk, two runners crossed the plate for Louisville, tying up the ballgame at 2-2.
Two innings later, Montgomery gave up a two-run homer to Louisville’s Neftali Soto and an RBI single later in the inning, giving the Bats a decisive three-run lead that would hold.
“He just needs to make an adjustment, to minimize damage,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “When you have that bad inning, just minimize, and he hasn’t been able to.”
Louisville starting pitcher Yohan Pino (2-3, 2.32) surrendered four hits in the first inning but settled in, only giving up three hits in his remaining five innings of work.
One of the only offensive bright spots was left fielder, Leslie Anderson. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, extending his hit streak to 12 games.
“I know he’s pushing the envelope, that’s what he needs to do,” Montoyo said. “He did it last year and he’s doing it again.”
Infielder Vince Belnome tallied the other Bulls run with his RBI single that scored third basemen Cole Figueroa.
With the loss, Durham snaps its three-game winning streak and falls to 45-27 on the season.
The Bulls will return to the DBAP tomorrow night at 7:05 to take on the Bats. Right-handed starting pitcher Merrill Kelly is slated to make the start.
The box score is here
