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Durham squad down two of three "bad
boys" in game vs. Richmond Sunday afternoon was a scorcher in Durham. The temperature at game time was listed as 89 degrees, but I think that was taken in the shade. However, it does seem things have cooled off for the Durham Bulls lately as two of their three angry young men are no longer with the team. B.J. Upton was called to Tampa Bay to play third base, while Elijah Dukes was suspended indefinitely by Tampa Bay due to behavioral problems. The only one remaining is Delmon Young, who is back from his 50 game suspension for throwing a bat at a umpire earlier in the season. Dukes’ problems have plagued him throughout his professional baseball career. He has reportedly been suspended at least three times by the D-Rays, benched once, suspended by the International League and ejected from two games. In addition, he has been involved in hotel lobby fight with teammate Ryan Knox, had an altercation with Coach Richie Hebner and had words with manager John Tamargo in the dugout. The latter came when he ran through a stop sign at third base. He missed last year's Arizona Fall League to attend anger management classes. The latest suspension by the Rays follows a five-day suspension from the IL for arguing balls and strikes and refusing to leave the dugout after being ejected from the game. Apparently, the Rays will take into account all of his previous issues before deciding what to do with him. However a outfielder who is batting .293 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs in 80 games is much too valuable to just write off. According to the Rays president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, he is welcome to work out at their minor league facility. Earlier, Dukes told USA Today that Tampa Bay players “shower in Evian” while the Bulls “shower in sewer water!” His latest adventure even has him questioning his future in baseball. A highly recruited linebacker out of high school, Dukes has stated he is through with baseball and may pursue a football career. An earlier edition of the Bulls game day program featured Tampa Bays future with a cover picture of Young, Dukes and Upton. When I see the problems these three talented players have had, it makes me think of the approach the Atlanta Braves take when they draft players. They look not only for skills and talent, but also look at a young man's character as well. Their feeling is that no matter how good a player is, if he has behavioral issues, those will keep him off the field. The Orioles had a similar philosophy when they were dominating the baseball world in the ’60s and ’70s. The game itself was a one-sided affair with the Braves winning handily, 7-4. Brian O’Connor brought his 90 mph fastball to bear on the depleted Bulls lineup and held them in check for six innings, striking out nine Bulls. He gave way to Rich Scalamandre, who gave up Kevin Witt’s International League leading 33rd home run which drove in Darnell MacDonald and Brent Butler to make the game 7-4. The lead stood up after Peter Moylan came in to restore order until the Braves could get the game to Manny Acosta to close it out in the ninth. Offensively, the Braves were led by Gregor Blanco, Bill McCarthy, Mike Ryan and Jon Schuerholz, all of whom had two hits apiece. IL all star first baseman Carlos Mendez stroked a home run for the Braves. McCarthy led off the Richmond third with a double into left which started the big inning for the visitors when they plated 10 men. Durham put their first run on the board when Young doubled in Butler, who had hit a ground rule double into the net in left center during his at bat. This was Young’s only hit of the game. He struck out in his next two at bats before hitting a line drive to second baseman Martin Prado. Bulls starter Jim Magrane gave up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out three hitters. This was his second AAA start since being called up from AA. He pitched in the mid to high 80s, which is tough for a right hander, and he frequently got behind in the count and had to throw a fastball in a fastball count. Newly acquired Joel Guzman started in left for the Bulls and went 1 for 4. He is currently batting .158 since being acquired from the Dodgers in the Julio Lugo deal. A converted shortstop, Guzman signed his first professional contract at age 16. Guzman is a power prospect who hit 16 home runs last year in AA. Tampa Bay first base prospect Wes Bankston started the game at first and walked in his only at bat before being removed from the game in favor of Rodney Nye. --- John
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