The Durham Bulls rode their usual formula of defense, good pitching and timely hitting to a sweep of the Toledo Mud Hens Friday, earning a 4-2 victory and a chance at the Governer's Cup Championship.
Friday's win came on the heels of two hard-fought games-a 4-3 victory Wednesday and a 13-inning, 8-5 victory Friday. The Bulls were led by the all-around play of catcher Paul Hoover, the hitting of Sportsticker Minor-league player of the year Rocco Baldelli and a bevy of strong pitchers.
Manager Bill Evers placed importance on the team's good execution.
"Guys did what they had to do," Ever said. "We got outstanding pitching and timely hitting. That's the way to get it done."
The team benefited from the varied contributions of many players. Left-fielder Jason Tyner threw two Mud Hens out at the plate Friday. The same night, first- baseman Matt Luke dazzled fans defensively with a diving stop. The entire team displayed speed and baserunning smarts throughout the series.
Hoover and Baldelli, however, were the two stars.
Baldelli went 2-for-4 with two RBI's and a run scored Friday, capped by a fifth-inning triple that came five feet from making it over the monstrous left field fence.
Hoover also had his share of offensive highlights-his 3-for-3 outing Friday capped a series in which he batted .667-but perhaps his greatest contributions came on the other end of the field, as he protected the plate, blocked potential wild-pitches and worked well with the Bulls' pitching staff.
"[Paul's] great, he's blocking balls, calling a good game.... He's a tough guy and a good guy to have back there," Tyner said.
Starting pitcher Dewon Brazelton also lauded the efforts of his backstop.
"Hoover's a great catcher," said Friday's winning pitcher. "A lot of times I don't even have to think. He calls a pitch and I throw it. I went to college for three years but I don't like to think, and he makes it so I don't have to."
The Bulls now play the Buffalo Bisons in the Governer's Cup Championship beginning in Buffalo Tuesday. The teams squared off eight times this season, in two four-game series in June. The Bisons swept the Bulls the first time around, but then themselves fell victim to a Bulls' sweep.
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