G-Braves Topple Bulls in Series Finale

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves used a three-run eighth inning to defeat the Durham Bulls, 6-3 Sunday afternoon at Coolray Field to earn a split in the four-game series.

Tied 3-3 entering the bottom of the eighth, Gwinnett took the lead when Adonis Garcia delivered an RBI single to left field. Then with two outs Elmer Reyes scored on a fielder's choice, and Joe Benson scored a batter later on a wild pitch for a three-run advantage.

Gwinnett opened the scoring in the third inning, plating an unearned run for a 1-0 lead. In the fourth the G-Braves (2-2) extended their lead when Reyes doubled to left field, plating a pair for a 3-0 advantage.

In the seventh Durham (2-2) closed the gap, plating a pair of runs. With two outs and nobody aboard, Hak-Ju Lee bunt singled, before Eugenio Velez followed with a single of his own. After Vince Belnome walked, Jake Elmore blooped a single to shallow right field to plate Lee and Velez to cut the deficit to one.

In the eighth the Bulls tied the contest when Taylor Motter doubled to left field and later scored on Alexi Casilla's single to left.

John Cornely (2-0) earned the win, despite picking up a blown save, after allowing one run over 1 1/3 innings of relief, while Aaron Kurcz netted his first save with a perfect ninth inning. Brandon Gomes (0-1) took the loss for Durham out of the bullpen, surrendering two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Of the six runs Durham allowed, only three were earned as the squad committed two errors and threw a pair of wild pitches.

The Bulls travel north to Charlotte for the opener of a two-game set on Monday, before returning to the Bull City for the home-opener Wednesday night. On Monday, LHP Scott Diamond will make the start for Durham in his organizational debut opposite RHP Shawn Haviland for the Knights.