Betemit, Moore Power Bulls Past Tides

DURHAM, N.C. - The first-place Durham Bulls snapped a two-game losing streak with a 7-5 win over the Norfolk Tides Sunday evening at the DBAP.

In the first game of a brief two-game homestand, the Bulls ran their home winning streak to three games, but they had to come from behind to do it.

The Tides (36-55) scored two runs in the second inning, aided by a throwing error that would have completed a double play, to take a 2-0 lead.

All-Star Wilson Betemit got the Bulls (49-43) on the board in the bottom of the third with a home run to right center. After Norfolk went up 3-1 through three and a half, the Bulls pulled even on a two-run Jayson Nix double in the fourth and took a brief lead when Francisco Peguero lost Robby Price's RBI double in the sun later that inning.

After Norfolk tied the score in the top of the fifth at 4-4, Jeremy Moore hit a two-run homer in the bottom half of the frame to put Durham on top for good. Betemit added his second RBI of the game in the seventh to put the Bulls up 7-4, before Norfolk closed the scoring with a single run in the ninth.

Right-hander Nathan Karns (5-5) got the win after striking out five in 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned), while Josh Lueke earned his third save of the season by recording the final three outs. Kelvin de la Cruz (1-4) took the loss in relief, allowing three runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings.

The series concludes at 7:05 p.m. Monday when RHP Matt Andriese (8-4, 3.56) starts for the Bulls against RHP Mike Wright (1-7, 6.47) for Norfolk.