Mud Hens fall in Durham

5/13/2010

DURHAM, N.C. — Durham jumped out to a four-run lead, and Bulls starter Carlos Hernandez stifled the Mud Hens' hitters throughout the evening as the visitors were beaten 6-1 Thursday night, failing to secure a tie in the four-game series.

Durham's Dan Johnson hit his 11th home run — a two-run shot — as part of a three-run first inning against Hens starter L.J. Gagnier. The Bulls added one run a piece in the second and third.

Gagnier didn't make it out of the fourth inning, surrendering eight hits and five runs — four earned — in 32/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one.

The Hens (18-17) managed just four hits and an unearned run off Hernandez (3-1), who struck out five in seven innings.

The Hens got on the board in the third when Casper Wells scored on Will Rhymes' ground out to short. Wells led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a fielding error by shortstop Elliot Johnson.

Wells (2-for-3) doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a Max St. Pierre ground out. Ensuing fly outs by Ben Guez and Rhymes yielded the Hens zero runs in a wasted opportunity.