LAS VEGAS — Vidal Bruján’s season has been full of ups and downs as he’s moved between the Majors and Triple-A seven times. But one constant has been his bat when he suits up for the Bulls.
The Rays infielder raked once again, going 4-for-5 with a walk, two RBIs and three runs scored to lead Triple-A Durham to a 13-0 blanking of Nashville in the International League championship game on Saturday at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Bruján lined a base hit to right-center field on the first pitch of the game. The switch-hitter’s aggressive strategy continued as he raced to swipe second. And although he was bested by a rocket throw from Nashville’s Brian Navarreto, Bruján’s attempt set the tone.
Two innings later, the 24-year-old perfectly placed a chopper just past the mound that second baseman Pablo Reyes could only hold onto. After working a six-pitch walk in the fourth, Bruján took advantage of his first RBI opportunity, knocking a single to right in the fifth to make it 9-0. And as part of a four-run seventh by Durham, the Dominican Republic native ripped another RBI single.
In 63 regular-season games with the Bulls, Bruján slashed .292/.369/.440 with six homers and 21 RBIs. The leadoff hitter swiped 26 bases in 39 attempts. With Tampa Bay, the utility player has logged a .479 OPS in 49 games as he plugged holes across the infield and outfield.
Bulls first baseman Luke Raley tallied two knocks and three RBIs, while left fielder Bligh Madris added a pair of doubles and four RBIs in front of his hometown crowd.
The Bulls’ pitching was just as locked in as the hitting, holding the Sounds to eight hits, only five of which left the infield. On late notice, right-hander Cooper Criswell was called on as the opener, going three innings with three strikeouts. Calvin Faucher followed with five punchouts in two perfect frames, then Angel Perdomo and Jimmy Yacabonis closed it out with two frames apiece.
Durham will now face Arizona affiliate Reno in the Triple-A National Championship on Sunday. The game will be free on MiLB.TV and MLB.TV, as well as televised on MLB Network.