By Josh Cook
The Durham Bulls scored six runs over the final three innings to beat Aroldis Chapman and the Louisville Bats 8-2 on Friday night in front of 11,474 at Louisville Slugger Field.
Chapman (5-5), the highly-touted left-handed pitcher, only gave up four hits and struck out six over six innings but he walked four, threw two wild pitches and gave up four runs in losing his third straight start.
But it wasn't all Chapman's fault. Only two of the runs he allowed were earned as the Bats committed three errors behind him.
Durham (40-27), the team with the best winning percentage (.597) in the International League, scored once in the first inning off Chapman on Matt Joyce's two-out, solo home run. It was the second of the season for Joyce and the 73rd of the season for the Bulls, who rank second in the IL in that category.
Louisville (31-37) tied the game in the second. Juan Francisco singled, moved to third on Todd Frazier's double, then scored on Wilkin Castillo's ground out.
The IL South-leading Bulls retook the lead 2-1 in the fifth when Chapman gave up a lead-off double to Angel Chavez, then threw back-to-back wild pitches to score him.
Louisville tied the score again in the sixth when Yonder Alonso led off with a single against Durham starter Richard De Los Santos (6-3). Alonso moved to third on Francisco's double, then scored on Frazier's sacrifice fly.
Chapman pitched to the first two batters of the seventh inning and they both reached base thanks to a pair of errors - a fielding one by Sutton at third and a throwing one by shortstop Zack Cozart. The second of those errors scored a run.
Jared Burton relieved Chapman but he threw a wild pitch to the second hitter he faced, then allowed an RBI-single.
Durham, which along with Columbus leads the IL with a .283 team batting average, scored two more runs in the eighth. Both were charged to Philippe Valiquette in his first appearance with the Bats after being promoted from Double-A Carolina. The Bulls tallied two more runs in the ninth against Jesus Delgado.
Alonso, Francisco and Drew Sutton each had two hits to lead Louisville's eight-hit attack. Sutton also walked twice as he increased his IL-best consecutive games streak of reaching base safely to 35.
The two teams play the third game of their four-game set at 6:05 p.m. Saturday night. Louisville lefty Ben Jukich (2-3, 3.72 earned-run average) is set to battle right-hander Aneury Rodriguez (3-4, 3.68). There will be $2 Anheuser Busch Craft Beer from 5-6:30 p.m. as well as music by Yardsale. Mad Chad the Chainsaw Juggler will also appear during the game.
