Durham Bulls Set Triple-A Home Run Record, Blast Rochester 18-3

Well, our hometown team, the Durham Bulls have done it again.  Not only are they the subject of the most popular sports movie of all time and the most popular Triple-A Baseball team in the world, but now they broke a record - so what if it was one of their own.

Dan Johnson went 5-for-6 with one of Durham's Triple-A record seven homers, as the Bulls won 18-3 at Rochester to complete a successful 7-3 road trip. 

Johnson doubled in the first of four first inning runs off Andy Baldwin (5-8).  Russ Canzler then followed that two-base hit with the start of the home-run barrage.  Canzler belted a three-run homer to center, his 12th of the year, for a 4-0 lead.

Durham, which had not hit more than three homers in a game this year, hit four in the second inning to chase Baldwin.  Number eight and nine hitters John Matulia and J.J. Furmaniak went deep back-to-back to start the inning.  Later in the frame Johnson and Daniel Mayora hit two-run shots to make it 10-0.

Nevin Ashley became the sixth different Bull to homer in the fourth inning.  His three-run blast to right-center made it 13-0 and tied Durham's single-game Triple-A record, set on two prior occasions.

Matulia would eventually cap the scoring and set the mark by launching an 0-2 pitch from Dusty Hughes into the right field bullpen in the eight, capping the scoring in the 18-3 victory.  Durham collected 20 hits, setting season highs for hits and runs.

Jim Paduch (1-0) benefited from the run support and went seven innings in his Bulls debut.  Marquise Fleming finished up. 

Durham (55-43) is a season-best 12 games over .500 after the lopsided win and a 7-3 road trip.  Durham heads home in first place in the South Division and begins a 10-game home stand on Friday against Toledo. 

The question is, will there be any seats left for what is bound to be some great baseball?