Bulls Blank Gwinnett in Season Opener, 1-0

Lawrenceville, GA --- Joey Butler's second inning home run was the only firework on Opening Night 2015, yet enough to lift the Durham Bulls past the Gwinnett Braves 1-0 on Thursday night.

Butler drilled a 1-1 curveball over the left field wall to lead off the second inning in his first at-bat as a Bull.

From there, the Durham (1-0) pitching staff took over. Dylan Floro (W, 1-0) worked one-hit ball over his six innings in winning his Triple-A debut. Brandon Gomes pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, before turning the game over to Jose Dominguez (S, 1), who fanned two en route to his first save in the Tampa Bay organization.

The Bulls, two-time defending South Division champions, won manager Jared Sandberg's Triple-A debut. Durham had five hits, while limiting the Braves (0-1) to three.

Floro only permitted a second inning single, then promptly retired nine straight. Floro worked six innings in 61 pitches, without issuing a walk.

Butler finished 2-4, while Vince Belnome chipped in with a 2-4 night. Jake Elmore had the other Bulls hit, plus a walk. Catcher Luke Maile threw out Eury Perez in the seventh after Perez reached on a bunt single.

The Bulls' season-opening series continues Friday night with LH Everett Teaford starting for the Bulls at 7:05 PM ET.