Braves Drill Bulls In Finale; Drubbed 11-3

Lawrenceville, GA --- Gwinnett bombed the Durham Bulls for 10 runs in the first three innings, then coasted to a 11-3 win over the Bulls on Sunday afternoon in the series finale.

The Braves (46-56) sent 14 hitters to the plate as part of an eight-run second inning, knocking out Bulls starter Mike Montgomery (L, 9-2) in the process. Evan Gattis delivered a two-run single, with the Braves connecting for seven hits, a walk, an error and one hit batter in the inning.

Montgomery lasted just four outs, permitting eight hits and eight runs (five earned). Doug Mathis relieved and worked 4 2/3 frames for the Bulls. Montgomery had not been pinned with a loss since May 8th against Syracuse.

Meanwhile, Daniel Rodriguez (W, 5-11) faced the minimum Bulls hitters through four innings. Rodriguez earned his first win since May 13th, spanning 12 appearances.

Durham (55-46) avoided the shutout in the ninth inning for the second straight game. Successive singles by Jayson Nix and Mikie Mahtook started the inning against reliever James Hoyt. After a groundout advanced the runners, a wild pitch on a strikeout of Wilson Betemit brought Nix home with the Bulls' first run. Mike Fontenot followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 11-2. Ali Solis then drove a double to deep center to bring home Betemit with Durham's final run.

The Bulls return home with a 9 1/2 game lead in the South Division with 43 to play.

Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo appears destined to become the Bulls' all-time winningest manager before the home fans at the DBAP. Montoyo, who tied Bill Evers with his 613th win on Friday night, will lead the Bulls into an eight-game homestand that starts Monday night against Rochester.

Enny Romero (3-10, 5.62) starts the opener with the Red Wings against lefty Sean Gilmartin (1-1, 4.13) at 7:05 PM from the DBAP.