Durham Drops Second Straight to Norfolk

DURHAM, NC - The Norfolk Tides rode a six-run first inning to an 8-5 win over the Durham Bulls Sunday evening at the DBAP, handing the Bulls their second straight loss.

Norfolk (47-34) jumped out to an early lead from the beginning, as the first six batters hit safely and came around to score. Rey Navarro opened the scoring with an RBI double, before scoring himself on a single by Dariel Alvarez. Then with the bases loaded Sean Halton unloaded a grand slam over the Blue Monster as the visitors took a 6-0 lead.

Durham (43-40) chipped away though, plating a pair of runs in the second frame on a single by the rehabbing John Jaso, and Boog Powell's sacrifice fly to centerfield. In the third the Bulls made it a three-run contest, as JP Arencibia doubled to open the inning, advanced to third on a fly out, and scored on Richie Shaffer's sacrifice fly to deep center.

The score held all the way until the ninth inning, when Norfolk re-opened a five-run lead by scoring two more, before the Bulls came back with a pair of their own on RBI base hits from Taylor Motter and Arencibia.

Southpaw Chris Jones (5-4) earned the win, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings, scattering nine hits. Righty Dylan Floro (7-8) lost for his fourth straight start, surrendering six runs on 10 hits over seven innings, allowing just four baserunners after the first inning.

Motter and Arencibia paced Durham offensively, each finishing 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. In his first rehab game with Durham, Jaso finished 1-for-5 with an RBI.

The series concludes Monday at the DBAP when Durham sends LHP Scott Diamond (8-3, 3.57) to the mound against RHP Zach Davies (3-4, 2.75) for Norfolk. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p. m.