
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 28, 1995                   TAG: 9504280071
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: DURHAM, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

SAME OLD STORY FOR AVALANCHE

For the second time in as many nights, Randall Simon hit a two-run homer in the first inning, as the Durham Bulls used a four-run first on the way to beating the Salem Avalanche 6-4 on Thursday night in Carolina League baseball.

Simon, who delivered a two-run, first-inning blast in Durham's 7-5 victory on Wednesday, homered off Salem starter Matt Pool (2-2), who lasted only 11/3 innings. Danny Magee added a two-run double in the first.

The Bulls made it 6-0 in the second inning on RBI singles by Scott Pagano and Gator McBride.

As it did on Wednesday, Salem mounted a comeback that fell just short. The Avalanche made it 6-1 in the third inning when John Giudice hit a sacrifice fly to bring home catcher Randy Snyder, who was playing in his first game with the Avalanche since being reassigned from Class AA New Haven (Conn.).

Snyder had three of Salem's seven hits. He doubled home Brian Culp in the fourth to make it 6-2.

The Avalanche got the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning. After Vincente Garcia's two-run single made it 6-4, Durham closer Matt Byrd took the mound and got Keith Grunewald to fly out. Byrd then struck out Giudice to end the game and gain his fourth save.

Bulls starter John LeRoy (1-2) picked up the victory by holding Salem to two hits and two runs in five innings. He struck out six and walked three.

Garcia had two hits for the Avalanche, which opens a seven-game home stand tonight. The Avalanche begins a three-game series against the Frederick Keys at Salem Municipal Field.

Pagano and McBride each had two hits for the Bulls.

NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.

by CNB