Nice Recovery From a Long Trip

Game 83, June 29, DBAP
Durham Bulls 3, Columbus Clippers 1
Season: 51-32
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun

Regular Durham Bulls fans know something unusual is happening when catcher Craig Albernaz is in the lineup as the designated hitter. In five seasons as a professional baseball player, this was his first appearance in the DH role. Why? Well, down in St Petersburg Evan Longoria had an ouchie and Ryan Roberts was called up just in case. Charlie Montoyo had only two position players left to choose from, both of them catchers, for the DH slot. Albie got the call.

Meanwhile, Jake Odorizzi started out with four innings of terrific pitching (4 base runners); two more of pretty darn good pitching; and started out the 7th inning looking a bit tired. Josh Lueke came in to complete the 7th and 8th. Kirby Yates closed it out.

This year’s Durham Bulls are good at small ball and it showed in the critical 3rd and 4th innings. Single, double, single in the 3rd put two runs up. Single, stolen base, ground out moving runner to 3B, single bringing him home in the 4th.

Personally, I like that kind of baseball, so it was a good night for me.

To be honest, I expected less and was pleased to see more. The Bulls played a double header on Friday night; got on a bus for an overnight run to Durham, arriving at 8:00 in the morning; and they were on the field for a 7:07 first pitch.

Outside the game —

• We were surprised to hear Juan Sandoval was off to Montgomery in exchange for LHP C.J. Riefenhauser. Don’t know a much about Riefenhauser except that his name in hard to type and he’s got a stunning 0.51 ERA over 53 innings in 20 appearances this year. Stats. Needs AAA time?
• Well, sort of outside the game … The a cappella group Cognitive Resonance, who performed the National Anthem last night, was simply superb, one of the very best we here at WDBB have ever heard. Kudos to them and to the person on the Bulls staff who picked them to perform. Bring ‘em back!
• Former Bull Stephen Vogt got his very first major league hit the other night. For the A’s. A home run. Congratulations! Cool video at Rays Index.
• Check out the photo of Reid Brignac on his new team’s roster (the Colorado Sky Sox)