Brett, Diamond Lead Bulls to Third Straight Win

DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls erased an early two-run deficit for a 6-3 win over the Gwinnett Braves Tuesday night at the DBAP, winning their third straight game and capping their six-game homestand with four wins.

After three scoreless innings to begin the ballgame, the G-Braves (72-65) plated the game's first runs in the top of the fourth. Mallex Smith led off the inning with a single and promptly stole second base, before a sacrifice bunt advanced him to third. Joey Terdoslavich then singled home Smith for a one-run lead, and after a throwing error sent Terdoslavich to third base he scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Sean Kazmar.

The Bulls (70-68) came right back in the bottom of the fourth though, starting when Nick Franklin launched a solo homer into the rightfield seats to lead off the frame. After a groundout Joey Rickard doubled, and scored three batters later when new acquisition Jose Constanza singled to rightfield to tie the contest. Ryan Brett then followed with a double to leftfield to score Mayo Acosta, putting Durham in front 3-2.

In the fifth the home side extended its lead by two, as Rickard's sacrifice fly to center scored Corey Brown, and Jake Elmore's single plated Franklin for a three-run advantage. The G-Braves struck for a run in the eighth on a bases-loaded walk, but in the bottom of the stanza Brown singled to drive home Brett to give the Bulls a 6-3 lead.

Left-hander Scott Diamond (11-5) picked up the victory by allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over 7 1/3 frames, winning his first start since early July. Righty Parker Markel allowed a run in the eighth inning, before Robert Zarate picked up his first professional save with a perfect ninth inning. Former Tampa Bay farmhand Victor Mateo (3-3) took the loss, surrendering five runs on 11 hits over five innings.

Brown extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games with a two-hit night, while Brett went 4-for-5 to lead Durham's 15-hit attack. Making his Triple-A debut, Cameron Seitzer went 2-for-5 for Durham, while Jose Constanza went 2-for-5 with an RBI out of the leadoff spot in his Durham debut.

The Bulls embark on their final road trip of the season Wednesday, kicking off a three-game set against the Charlotte Knights at 7:05 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark. RHP Jared Mortensen (NR) will make his Triple-A debut for Durham against RHP Brad Penny (7-8, 4.10) for Charlotte.