DURHAM, NC – The Gwinnett Stripers (78-58) lost 6-5 to the Durham Bulls (74-62) in walk-off fashion on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park but clinched the International League South Division title as Charlotte lost 2-0 at Norfolk. The Stripers will play Columbus, the winners of the IL West Division, in the first round of the Governors’ Cup Playoffs beginning on Wednesday, September 4 at Coolray Field.
Scoring Recap: Durham took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Mike Brosseau grounded into a run-scoring double play and Guillermo Heredia followed with an RBI single. The Bulls extended the lead to 5-0 in the fourth on a two-run double by Jake Cronenworth and a RBI single by Daniel Robertson. RBI singles by Jack Lopez and Johan Camargo cut the deficit to 5-2 in the fifth, and Adam Duvall (31) tied the game at 5-5 with a towering three-run home run down the left-field line off Peter Fairbanks. In the ninth, the Bulls loaded the bases against A.J. Minter (L, 2-2), and a two-out single by Michael Perez scored the game winner.
Stripers Stats: Duvall went 1-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs. On the mound, Ian Anderson allowed five runs on five hits, walked six and struck out two in a no-decision. Tyler Matzek tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, and rehabbing Atlanta Braves Darren O’Day and Grant Dayton each pitched 1.0 scoreless inning.
Bulls Stats: Fairbanks (W, 1-2) won despite allowing Duvall’s homer in the eighth. Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Robertson, Perez, and Heredia each added an RBI.
Postgame Notes: The Stripers are the IL South Division champions for the second time in franchise history (last won in 2016). Duvall’s three-RBI night raised his season total to 92, tied for the Gwinnett single-season record (Ernesto Mejia also had 92 RBIs in 2012). Camargo has hit safely in 16-straight games with Gwinnett since April 16, 2018, including all 13 games with the Stripers this season.
Next Game (Saturday, August 31): Gwinnett at Durham, 6:35 p.m. at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. RHP Kyle Wright (10-4, 4.27 ERA) for the Stripers vs. LHP Josh Fleming (1-2, 4.67 ERA) for the Bulls. Radio Broadcast: 6:20 p.m. on 97.7 and 93.5 FM “The Other Side of the River.”
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The Gwinnett Stripers are the Triple-A International League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, playing their 11th season at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga. For tickets, team merchandise or more information, visit GoStripers.com. Follow the Stripers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GoStripers.