LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Durham Bulls (52-34) scored two runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Gwinnett Stripers (48-37) 5-3 on Thursday night at Coolray Field.
Scoring Recap: The Bulls took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI double by Nathan Lukes. In the third, Rafael Ortega drove in two runs with a double and scored on a double by Jonathan Morales to give the Stripers a 3-1 advantage. Durham tied the game at 3-3 in the fourth on a RBI single from Emilio Bonifacio and a sacrifice fly from Jake Cronenworth. In the ninth, the Bulls took a 5-3 lead on RBI singles from Cronenworth and Joe McCarthy.
Stripers Stats: Mike Foltynewicz pitched 5.0 innings, yielded three runs (two earned) on eight hits and struck out eight in a no-decision. Wes Parsons (L, 2-2) worked an inning and surrendered two runs (one earned) on three hits. At the plate, Ortega went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Morales went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Bulls Stats: Cronenworth went 2-for-2 with two RBIs to lead the Durham offense. Bonifacio and Lukes each went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Aaron Slegers (W, 3-4) pitched 4.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Hunter Wood (S, 1) tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
Postgame Notes: Ortega’s 2-for-4 night extended his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest streak on the team this season. The Stripers dropped to 7-19 without a home run.
Next Games (Doubleheader Friday, July 5): Gwinnett vs. Durham, game one at 5:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. LHP Kolby Allard (6-3, 3.64 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Arturo Reyes (6-3, 3.52 ERA) for the Bulls. Radio Broadcast: 4:50 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.