ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 11, 1996 TAG: 9605130076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DURHAM, N. C.
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Salem's first 1996 meeting with the Durham Bulls was a forgettable one.
The Southern Division-leading Bulls crushed the Avalanche 9-2 on Friday in a Carolina League game before a packed house of 7,516 fans at Durham Athletic Park.
Durham strengthened its hold on first place and improved to 22-13. Salem fell to 19-16.
The Avalanche, which was swept in a four-game series by Prince William this week, has lost five straight games.
Ron Wright had the big blow for Durham, belting a three-run homer in the sixth inning to give the Bulls an 8-2 lead. Wright has 11 home runs and 32 RBI this season. (Box score in Baseball Scoreboard)
Salem scored in the first inning when Kyle Houser crossed the plate on Blake Barthol's RBI walk.
But Durham answered in the bottom of the frame when Antoine French, who tripled, scored on a sacrifice fly.
In the second, Durham took a 3-1 lead on Terry Wright's two-run single.
Salem cut it to 3-2 in the third when Houser scored on an error, but RBI hits by Wes Helms and Danny McGee in the bottom of the inning put Durham on top 5-2.
Salem starter Mike Vavrek (3-1) suffered his first loss after giving up five runs in three innings.
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines KEYWORDS: BASEBALLby CNB