A Loss; But Then a Nice Win for Torra

Game 69, Friday, June 14, Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Iron Pigs 4; Bulls 1
Box, Wrap

Game 70, Saturday, June 15, Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Durham Bulls 3; Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 0
Season 30-40; Trip: 2-1, Bulls v. Iron Pigs: 2-1; Standings
Box, Wrap, Herald-Sun, Lehigh Valley Morning Call

The Bulls’ bats, which had been so hot on Thursday, chilled out on Friday and didn’t heat up until the 7th inning last night. And then for only one run. But that was enough.

“Pitchers’ Duel” is an overworked cliche, but what else can you say when Matt Torra goes head to head with the Iron Pigs’ Matt Wright for six scoreless and near hitless innings? At the top of the 7th  Leslie Anderson (who else?) singled, got to third on a Stephen Vogt single, and came home on a Brandon Allen sacrifice fly. That would be enough, although the Bulls picked up two more runs in the 9th when the Pigs third baseman dropped a foul ball, Allen and Brignac singled, and Cole Figuaroa doubled them home.

Matt Torra has won four of his last five games and has only allowed one run in those four wins. Has he turned a corner? Did that brief stretch on the DL help? Sure hope so.

My new favorite pitcher, Bryan Augenstein, got the first save of his career with two-hit, three strikeout 9th, after Dane De La Rosa handled the last of the 7th and the 8th innings.

Oh yeah, rehabbing Evan Longoria was 1-4 at DH and Jeff Keppinger did not play.

Today's game is at 1:35.

Outside the game

• Pitcher Chris Archer got some love from the News & Observer yesterday
• Have to admit that the folks in Lehigh Valley love their Iron Pigs. Sellout crowds (10,100) Friday and Saturday nights. They lead the International League in average home game attendance.
• Former Bull Jason Pridie talks about his coming off his 50-game suspension
• Former Bull beat former Bull in the 15th inning last night down in the St. Petersburg bandbox by the bay. Brandon Gomes came on in relief in the 14th and had a quick 3 up, 3 down. But in the 15th, with one out, former Bull, now Marlin, Justin Ruggiano hit a double. The next batter hit a triple sending Ruggiano home, and that turned out to be the winning run as the Marlins beat the Rays 4-3.