Braves Thump Bulls 8-1

DURHAM, N.C. — The Richmond Braves silenced the Bulls' bats and pounded out seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings to cruise to a 8-1 victory on Sunday evening at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

With two outs in the top of the fifth inning, the Braves managed to score four runs off of RHP Jeff Niemann (3-2). Carlos Mendez tallied the first with a home run to left field. Corky Miller was then hit by a pitch and Wes Timmons singled to give the Braves runners on first and third. Blanco bunted Miller home to give the Braves a 2-0 lead and setup the most bizarre play of the afternoon. Martin Prado hit a sharp grounder that got by both third baseman Joel Guzman and left fielder Justin Ruggiano, allowing Timmons and Blanco to score. Prado got caught in a rundown between second and third on the play to end the inning.

The Braves added three more runs in the sixth inning, including a solo home run from Graham Koonce, his second in two days. Niemann left the game after 5 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs (five earned), seven hits, while striking out six. The Braves stretched their lead to 8-0 in the eighth when Mendez hit his second home run of the game.

LHP Mark Redman (1-0), who was down from Atlanta on a rehab assignment, threw 5 2/3 innings, striking out six and giving up just five hits, two walks, and no runs.

The Bulls scored their lone run in the bottom of the ninth when Brent Butler scored from third on a passed ball.