Robertson’s Clout Not Enough as Stripers Lose 6-4 to Bulls

DURHAM, N.C. – Former Bull Daniel Robertson put the Gwinnett Stripers (54-62) ahead 4-3 with a three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning, but Durham (67-51) roared back with three unanswered runs to win 6-4 on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Stripers have lost four straight games.

Decisive Plays: Dylan Dodd (L, 3-6) got off to a rocky start as Francisco Mejia (1) and Nick Dini (9) each homered in the bottom of the first for a 3-0 Durham lead. Forrest Wall’s sacrifice fly in the third cut it to 3-1. In the fourth, singles by Joe Dunand and Joe Hudson set the table for Robertson’s go-ahead homer (3) off Nathan Wiles (W, 5-1). In the fifth, however, Niko Hulziser tied it at 4-4 with a solo shot (15), and in the sixth Tristan Gray notched a two-run double for a 6-4 Bulls lead.

Key Contributors: Wall had Gwinnett’s only multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Robertson finished 1-for-4 with the homer and three RBIs. Mejia (2-for-4, homer, 2 RBIs) and Gray (1-for-4, double, 2 RBIs) each had multi-RBI games for Durham.

Noteworthy: Drew Lugbauer went 1-for-4 with a single, giving him hits in four straight games to start his Triple-A career. Braden Shewmake went 0-for-4 to snap his 19-game on-base streak. Gwinnett has lost eight consecutive games in Durham dating back to May 12, 2022.

Next Game (Saturday, August 19**):* Gwinnett at Durham,6:35p.m. ET at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. RHP *Michael Soroka** (4-3, 3.21 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Anthony Molina (1-1, 4.33 ERA) for the Bulls. Broadcast: 6:20 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com.