Durham Bulls Get Freebie(s)

Season: 24-17; Home Stand: 2-0

Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun

On occasion the more you know the less it helps you understand events. Durham Bulls (and Charlotte Knights) fans could be forgiven it they thought that with IL pitcher of the week, Charlie Leesman, on the mound the Bulls were probably going to have a hard time of it. He does, after all, have some stellar stats.

And so it seemed into the bottom of the 3rd inning with the Knights leading 3-1, and the Bulls’ first batter, Hak-Ju Lee grounding out. But then things started to come undone for Leesman. 

He walked Justin Christian.

 Kevin Kiermaier singled. 

Jerry Sands singled. And the bases were loaded.

Mikie Mahtook doubled in two runs. Runners on 2B and 3B.

And then things really came unraveled.

Mike Fontenot was hit by a pitch. Bases loaded.

Curt Casali walked. Run scored.

Ray Olmedo walked. Run scored.

Roman Ali Solis K’d.

But then Hak-Ju Lee walked. Run scored.

Leesman was pulled from game and from then on things were mostly quiet (Justin Christian lined out to right to end inning). But two singles, a double, a hbp, and four walks makes for a simply awful inning and more than enough for a Bulls win.

Outside the game —

• As noted earlier, WDBB favorite Cole Figueroa called up by the Rays.
• Wondering about all those shifting infielders (mostly in the majors, but we’re seeing it here too a bit)? Nice piece in today’s News & Observer. Tampa Bay’s Joe Maddon featured prominently.