Bulls Set Two Attendance Records In Home Finale
September 1, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC - The Bulls drew five walks, but managed just three hits from two players as the Knights shutout the Bulls, 3-0 in front of a single-game record sell out crowd of 11,071 on Saturday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the final home regular season game of the year. The Bulls also set a single-season attendance record of 520,952, surpassing the previous record total of 520,371 set in 2005. With the loss, the playoff-bound Bulls (78-63) were unable to make any progress in clinching the South division title, as the Richmond Braves defeated Norfolk, 7-5 to pull within one game of Durham.
LHP Andrew Sisco (3-6) held the Bulls hitless until the bottom of the sixth inning when Jason Pridie ended Sisco's bid for a no-hitter with a single to right field. Sisco had surrendered four walks prior to the hit, but was relieved after retiring Evan Longoria after throwing 99 pitches. Sisco also stuck out eight in the 5 1/3 innings he pitched.
Ernie Young hit an RBI-double in the third inning, Alex Sanchez hit an RBI-single in the fourth inning, and Thomas Collaro hit a solo home run over the Blue Monster for Charlotte's three runs. All of the runs came off RHP Jeff Niemann (12-6), who fell short in his bid to tie the Triple-A Bulls single-season wins record of 13, set by Dave Eiland in 1998. Niemann worked six innings, surrendering three runs on nine hits while striking out five.
RHP Jason Childers, RHP Vladimir Nunez, and RHP David Aardsma held the Bulls scoreless over the final 3 2/3 innings, with Aardsma tallying his 15th save of the season after retiring the side in the ninth inning. Sisco and Nunez received the opportunity to help themselves at-the plate after first baseman Casey Rogowski was ejected in the third inning for arguing a check-swing strikeout call, forcing the short-handed Knights to lose the designated hitter by moving Young into the field. However, they combined to go 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the clean-up spot.
The Bulls and Knights will meet again on Sunday afternoon at 2 PM in Charlotte, with Neil Solondz calling the action 620 The Bull. The Bulls will return home to begin the Governors' Cup playoffs on Wednesday, September 5 at 7 PM. For tickets, go to www.durhambulls.com or call the box office at (919) 956-BULL.
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