Torra, Quick Bats, Stop Slide

Game 65, Sunday, June 10, Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Durham Bulls 7; Toledo Mud Hens 1
Season: 27-38; Home Stand: 1-5; Bulls v. Mud Hens 1-1; Standings
Box, Wrap, Herald-Sun

Matt Torra had a fine outing and the Bulls put up 15 hits, 14 of them singles (a Leslie Anderson double was the only extra-base hit). What a change from the last five awful games.

When the Mud Hens put up the first run of the game in the 2nd inning, things were looking pretty bleak. But then some nice baserunning by new guy Rich Thompson after he got on as a hit batsman helped out a lot. He made it to third on a Stephen Vogt single and came home on a sac fly by Jesus Feliciano. When Anderson doubled Vogt home the Bulls were ahead for the first time this home stand. The five-run 5th inning was icing on the cake.

We’ll have to keep an eye on it, but it may be that the Rays are looking to see if Alex Torres has some possibilities as a lefty specialist. At least that was what the commentary implied last night. He came in for three batters at the top of the 8th (righty, lefty, lefty) and got 2 Ks to go with his usual BB. He was pulled when a righty came to bat.

Outside the game

• When Matt Torra came off the DL someone had to go. Craig Albernaz has been shipped off to “Hudson Valley”.
• Some cute photos here from the Bark in the Park event earlier in the week.
• You may have noticed the signage in the outfield that designates the DBAP as “Goodman Field”. That would be Jim Goodman, the owner of the Bulls and certified medial mogul. Time magazine’s Joe Klein recently interviewed him. 
• The Bulls will be on national TV in tomorrow’s game that closes out the Mud Hens series.

Chart
Team ERA

It’s been a while since we’ve put up our cumulative ERA chart. This is the running totals for the last 20 games. Sure looks like the starting pitching (never all that good to begin with) really blew up. Trend line is ever so slightly downward, a good thing.