Bulls earn split with Charlotte, Mudcats on wrong end of shutout

Justin Ruggiano’s three-run homer was the biggest hit for the Durham Bulls as they gained a split of their two-game road series with the Charlotte Knights with a 6-4 victory on Wednesday night.

• Photo courtesy Durham Bulls
• Bulls outfielder Justin Ruggiano

The Bulls, who lead the International League’s South Division by 10 games over the Knights, will return home Thursday night for the opener of a two-game set with the Norfolk Tides.

Bulls 6, Charlotte 4
Dan Johnson helped out the Bulls’ cause with his 23rd homer of the season, while J.J. Furmaniak had a double and a single.

Dale Thayer (1-1) was the winning pitcher in relief while R.J. Swindle claimed his second save. Jhonny Nunez was the loser.

Stefan Gartrell had a two-run homer for Charlotte.

West Tenn 4, Mudcats 0
Guillermo Quiroz’ two-run homer off Daryl Thompson (0-4) in the first inning turned out to be all the scoring the Diamond Jaxx would need.

Lo Kuo Hi led West Tenn with a double and a single.

Steve Bray (4-6) went seven innings in the shutout.

Kris Negron and Brandon Yarbrough each had two of the Mudcats’ eight hits.

Thursday’s games
Norfolk at Bulls, 7:05 p.m.
Zach Clark (R, 0-3, 3.06) vs. Richard De Los Santos (R, 6-4, 4.20)

Mudcats at West Tenn, 8:05 p.m.
Travis Webb (L, 3-6, 5.52) vs. Mauricio Robles (L, 6-4, 4.56)