Rays down on the farm September 7: Karns pitches Bulls to final

The Bulls are the only affiliate left in action, and they guaranteed themselves at least three more games with yesterday afternoon's win.  They'll now enjoy their first two day break since the All-Star break before beginning a 2013 finals rematch with Pawtucket.

Triple-A Durham Bulls (3-1)

Nathan Karns was tremendous to advance Durham to the Governors Cup final with a 4-2 win over Columbus.  He recorded eight straight outs to start the game, including striking out seven in a row.  In the seventh, he finally allowed his first run on a sac fly, but that would be it.  He left with a 2-1 lead after allowing just that run on three hits and a walk in seven innings with 12 strikeouts.  Merrill Kelly quickly allowed the tying run when he entered in the eighth, but he wrapped up the game and the series.

After the Clippers tied the game, they couldn't record a shutdown inning.  Cole Figueroa started the eighth with a single, and he came home to score on Jeremy Moore's double.  After Tim Beckham lined out, Vince Belnome hit the second double of the inning to extend the lead to two.  Figueroa reached base three times, and Moore drove in a pair of runs.

Short-Season Hudson Valley Renegades (1-2)

Hudson Valley's season is over.

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Star of the day- Karns' great start came on the heels of several poor ones.

Goat of the day- No one today.

Next game is on Tuesday (probables courtesy of milb.com)

Durham @ Pawtucket 7:05 PM (MiLB.TV, radio stream)
TBA v. TBA

Game one of a best of five series (Series tied 0-0)

*Listed as TBA on milb.com

Scouting the opposition

Pawtucket Red Sox
3-0
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