Bulls suffer shutout loss north of the border

Published in Sports on June 23, 2006 2:09 PM

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OTTAWA, Canada -- Durham started an eight-game road trip on Thursday with a second straight shutout loss, 1-0 to Ottawa.

The Bulls collected only four hits in being shut out for the 11th time in 73 games, and fourth in the last nine.

B.J. Upton had two of the four hits and his league-leading 30th stolen base. Upton doubled to start the ninth against closer Julio Manon (15 saves), but Manon struck out Delmon Young, and then fanned Shawn Riggans and Brent Butler after walking IL home run leader Kevin Witt intentionally.

The 1-0 loss spoiled a fantastic pitching performance.

J.P. Howell, just acquired from Kansas City for Joey Gathright and Fernando Cortez, pitched five terrific innings, retiring 10 straight in one stretch. His only blemish was Brandon Marsters' two-out, fifth-inning homer. Howell allowed three hits and struck out three. Juan Salas pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh, and Chad Orvella scoreless eighth.

Riggans helped out by throwing out two potential base stealers.