Rays down on the farm September 11: Bullpen helps Bulls even series

Durham's starters have only pitched 4.1 innings out of 19 this series, so a lot is riding on Matt Andriese going deep in tonight's game three.  They'll be going against their third straight left-handed opponent, this time Henry Owens, Boston's top pitching prospect.

In lower minors news, new shortstop Willy Adames was taken fourth overall by Tigres del Licey in the annual LIDOM draft.  They're the most successful team in the league historically, and I'm assuming he'll be playing for them if he goes home for winter ball this year.

Triple-A Durham Bulls (4-2)

Two outs away from facing a 2-0 series deficit, Vince Belnome's solo home run tied the game in the ninth, and Durham went on to beat Pawtucket 4-3 in 11 innings.  Belnome led off the 11th inning with a walk, and after a Nick Franklin strikeout, he advanced to second base on a crucial catcher interference call on Ryan Lavarnway.  Mike Fontenot singled him home to give the Bulls the lead.  Earlier in the game, Mikie Mahtook hit a two run home run to cut into an early 3-0 deficit.  Franklin did have two hits.

Once again, Durham's bullpen had to come up big because they got nothing from their starter.  After allowing a first inning run, Alex Colome gave up a leadoff triple in the second, and that was followed by a two run home run to give Pawtucket a quick 3-0 lead.  He struck out the following batter, but after a walk, he was pulled from the game, having allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in 1.1 innings with two strikeouts.  Five relievers, Jake Thompson, Merrill Kelly, C.J. Riefenhauser, Josh Lueke and Adam Liberatore, combined to strike out eight in 9.2 scoreless innings to secure the win.

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Star of the day- Belnome came up big two times.

Goat of the day- None today.

Today's game (probables courtesy of milb.com)

Durham v. Pawtucket 7:05 PM (MiLB.TV, radio stream)
Matt Andriese (1-0, 3.60) v. Henry Owens (0-0, 11.25)

Game three of a best of five series (Series tied 1-1)

*Listed as TBA on milb.com

Scouting the opposition

Pawtucket Red Sox
4-1
Offense: 639 R (6th) .719 OPS (10th)
Pitching: 3.60 ERA (4th) 1.31 WHIP (6th)
Top 30 Prospects: LHP Henry Owens (2), C Blake Swihart (5), 3B Garin Cecchini (6), RHP Matt Barnes (9), RHP Anthony Ranaudo (11), SS Deven Marrero (15), OF Bryce Brentz (16), 1B Travis Shaw (26), LHP Edwin Escobar, RHP Heath Hembree