It looks like the Durham Bulls’ first-round Governors’ Cup Playoff series against the Louisville Bats is going to be another good one.

The Bulls avenged their Game 1 loss in the five-game set with a 6-2 road win at Louisville Slugger Field on Thursday night, meaning when it returns to Durham Bulls Athletic Park beginning Friday it will be a best-of-3.

Durham won their first-round matchup in five games last year en route to its first Triple-A National Championship.

Justin Ruggiano led the Bulls with three hits including a double with an RBI and scored twice. Leslie Anderson added a pair of hits including a double with an RBI, while Joe Dillon chipped in two hits with two RBI.

Devin Mesoraco, who spent much of his season with the Carolina Mudcats, and Daniel Dorn doubled for Louisville.

Darin Downs picked up the win in relief while Tom Cochran, who was the Mudcats’ ace lefty for almost the entire regular season, took the loss.

Friday’s game
Louisville at Bulls, 7:05 p.m.
Matt Klinker (R, 4-4, 5.85) vs. Alex Cobb (R, 0-0, 0.00)