ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605130182
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DURHAM, N. C.
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
The week-long losing curse for the Salem Avalanche has been lifted.
Kyle Houser's clutch RBI single in the top of the ninth inning scored Chan Mayber with the winning run as the Avalanche beat the Durham Bulls 4-3 in a Carolina League baseball game at Durham Athletic Park. Salem also snapped a five-game losing streak.
Steve Bernhardt started the rally with a single off Durham reliever Ken Giard (0-2) to lead off the ninth. Elvis Pena then sacrificed Bernhardt to second, where he was replaced by the pinch runner Mayber. Houser, who was 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI, then slapped a single to score Mayber with the decisive run.
Luis Colmenares (3-3) pitched two perfect innings to get the win for the Avalanche in relief of starter Matt Pool. Pool went seven innings and gave up three runs on nine hits.
The Avalanche (20-16) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning off Durham starter Micah Bowie. Houser walked with one out, and John Giudice followed with his third homer of the season, a two-run shot to left field.
Durham (22-14) answered in the bottom of the second. Wes Helms singled with one out, and Danny Magee followed with a double to put runners at second and third.
Mike Mahoney walked to load the bases, and Gus Kennedy knocked in a run with an infield single. Terry Wright then hit into a fielder's choice, which scored Magee and tied the score at 2.
The Bulls took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth when Andruw Jones cranked a solo homer to lead off the inning, but the Bulls could not hold on, as Houser's RBI single in the seventh scored Pookie Jones to tie the score at three and his RBI single in the ninth won it.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB