10,000 at the DBAP

Game 82, July 2, Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Gwinnett Braves (Atlanta) 4, Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) 1
Season: 44-38; Last 10: 4-6
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun, Indy Week

As I was settling in for the game last night a friend of mind pointed out that I had been ranting a lot lately. On reflection, I realized he was right. I pledged to myself that I would just sit back, enjoy the game, and write about the interesting and positive things going on. After all, the unbeaten Alex Cobb was the starting pitcher.

And then there was the 1st Inning ...

Well, I'm going to stick with my pledge, so here goes:

After an unfortunate 1st inning, Alex Cobb gave up only two more hits in the remaining five innings that he pitched. He was followed by Rob Delaney and Jay Buente who combined to no-hit and shut out the Braves for the rest of the game. The Bulls, however, were not able to generate much offense against an excellent Gwinnett pitching crew.

The Bulls dropped one game behind the Braves in the South Division. However, they will be playing each other three more times in the next three days, so there's plenty of time to come back.

How's that?

* * * * *

Let's review all the roster changes of the last several days, just to get the record straight:

• Pitcher Chris Bootcheck has been released.
• Infielder Omar Luna was sent to the Charlotte Stone Crabs
• Infielder Daniel Mayora was called up from Montgomery
• Pitcher Ryan Reid was sent to Montgomery
• Pitcher Matt Torra was acquired from the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks)
• Pitcher Jay Buente came off the DL

I don't think that I've mentioned that Desmond Jennings, Brandon Guyer, and Russ Canzler were picked for the IL All-Star team. The Bulls' Neil Solondz was named to call the game that will be played in Salt Lake City on July 13. Congratulations to all.

Brandon Guyer was reported to be day-to-day from a back injury. He did not play last night.

Bulls fans should be pleased with the 6th inning of yesterday’s Rays-Cardinals game. The Rays loaded the bases mostly former Bulls: Damon (the sole exception), Matt Joyce, and B.J. Upton. Casey Kotchman (remember he started the season with the Bulls?) cleared the bases with a double. Justin Ruggiano hit a home run to bring Kotchman in. Win was recorded for former Bull Jeff Neimann. As an aside, Ruggiano is looking good at the plate and in the field. Sure is nice to see him doing well.