G-Braves Beat Bulls in Extras, 7-4
DURHAM, N.C. - The Durham Bulls fell to the Gwinnett Braves 7-4 in extra innings Saturday night at the DBAP, as the G-Braves evened the four-game set at one game apiece.
With two outs and two runners aboard in the top of the 10th inning, Gwinnett's Elmer Reyes doubled down the rightfield line, scoring both baserunners and giving the G-Braves (60-74) a two-run lead. Jose Constanza then followed with a single, scoring Reyes to catapult the visitors ahead 7-4.
In front 10,162 fans, the Bulls (69-65) jumped out to an early lead, plating four runs in the bottom of the third frame. After Nick Franklin and Cole Figueroa worked back-to-back walks to begin the inning, Mikie Mahtook delivered an RBI single to centerfield, scoring Franklin for a 1-0 advantage. The next batter, Vince Belnome, then crushed a three-run homer over the Blue Monster in leftfield to put Durham ahead 4-0.
That score held until the fifth, when the G-Braves scored on an errant pickoff play to cut the deficit to three. Then in the sixth inning Gwinnett answered with a three-run homer of its own, this one off the bat of Joey Terdoslavich to tie the game at 4-4.
Left-hander Chasen Shreve (2-1) picked up the victory by tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings, while right-hander Cory Burns (1-2) suffered the loss by allowing three runs in the 10th inning. Juan Jaime earned his 18th save of 2014, registering the final two outs of the game.
Belnome went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while eight of Durham's nine starters finished with at least one hit.
Despite the loss, Durham's Magic Number to clinch the South Division title shrank to three games with Norfolk's loss at Charlotte.
Game three of the series takes place Sunday, when Durham sends LHP Enny Romero (5-11, 4.82) to the hill against Gwinnett RHP Kanekoa Texeira (3-4, 5.22). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.