DURHAM, NC– Tanner Murray swatted a game-winning home run to leadoff the bottom of the ninth as the Durham Bulls knocked out the Nashville Sounds 5-4 at the DBAP on Friday night.
Minutes after Carson Williams tied the game with a two-run shot in the eighth, Murray flicked a 1-2 pitch over the Blue Monster in left field to give the Bulls (9-5) a series-evening win.
Eric Orze (W, 2-0) registered the win in relief after striking out two Sounds batters with a runner at third in the ninth.
Logan Workman tossed six innings of one-run ball, fanning eight.
How It Happened:  Murray delivered the decisive shot on a 1-2 pitch from Elvis Peguero, turning around a 97mph fastball for the game winner. All five Durham runs scored on homers. Tristan Peters socked out a two-run shot in the third, then Williams’ two-run rocket in the eighth.
Manny’s Exit:  Tampa Bay Rays reliever Manny Rodriguez departed his second rehab appearance with the Bulls in the seventh inning after facing two-plus batters. Rodriguez permitted an infield single and recorded a pop out, but after delivering his third pitch of Nick Kahle’s at-bat, the athletic training staff visited the mound and Rodriguez left the game. Joey Krehbiel came in to walk Kahle, then permitted a three-run homer to Jeferson Quero.
What’s Next:  Game five of the six-game series is set for Saturday night with Duncan Davitt (0-0, 2.57) making his second Triple-A start for Durham. Nashville is expected to run out Logan Henderson (8-3, 3.16) at 6:35 PM ET.