Durham Bulls even playoff series with improbable win

Mike Fontenot.
Mike Fontenot.
The Durham Bulls were routed in the first game of the series at Columbus and trailed the entire time in Game 2 going into the ninth. The Clippers were 65-0 heading to the ninth inning during the regular season. But the defending champion Bulls found a way to scrap a tying run in the ninth and then scored in the 10th to win 4-3 to even the league playoff series 1-1.

The Bulls return home for Game 3 Friday. Game 4 will be at 1:05 Saturday.

With one out in the ninth, trailing 3-2, Durham’s Vince Belnome walked and moved to second on a single by Nick Franklin. Veteran Mike Fontenot singled in the tying run to force extra innings.

Durham’s Cole Figueroa doubled and moved on to third on an outfield error to lead off the 10th. Tim Beckham plated the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly.

Bulls’ closer Adam Liberatore got the Clippers in order to finish it up.

Right-hander Josh Lueke picked up the victory in relief, tossing two perfect innings while striking out two. Lueke, Liberatore and Merrill Kelly combined for five innings of scoreless baseball out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit and striking out four. Tyler Sturdevant (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing the winning run to score in the 10th inning.

The Bulls send RHP Matt Andriese (11-8, 3.77) to the mound against rehabbing RHP Shaun Marcum (1-0, 2.35) for Columbus. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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