Bulls Offense Quiet in Loss to Knights

DURHAM, NC - The Charlotte Knights (2-1) scored two runs early and tacked on three more in the fourth inning closing a 5-0 win over the Durham Bulls (1-2) to clinch the opening series of the season at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
 
Charlotte starter Donny Roach (1-0, 0.00) tossed 6.0 scoreless innings, struck out four, walked one and faced 22 batters earning his first win since 2016 when he appeared with Triple-A Toledo. Xavier Cedeño delivered to final three frames earning his first save of the year.
 
Joe McCarthy (1-for-3), Justin Williams (1-for-2, HBP), and Jason Coats (1-for-3) recorded the only hits for the Bulls. Durham was last shutout in the second game of the International League Championship series on September 13, 2017 against Scranton Wilkes-Barre, 4-0.
 
The relief core was bullish on the evening as Jonny Venters tossed 1.1 scoreless relief innings with two strikeouts, Jaime Schultz struck out three over 1.0 inning, Adam Kolarek delivered 1.1 innings with one strikeout, Ryne Stanek worked the final two outs of the eighth inning, and Diego Castillo struck out the side in the ninth. In all, the 'pen held the Knights scoreless through 5.1 innings with nine strikeouts combined and has posted a 1.88 ERA (14.1 IP, 3 ER) through the first three games.
 
Durham welcomes in Gwinnett (1-1) for a three-game series Monday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.