Bulls Batter Shrimp 4-3

Bulls first baseman Tristan Gray crushed his league-leading 27th home run and second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni also went yard, while starting pitcher Luis Patino fired five scoreless innings as Durham defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4-3 on Friday evening at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. With the win, the Bulls are tied with Jacksonville for first place in the East Division.

Durham struck first when Gray bashed his two-run shot to right. His 27 longballs now rank him tied for sixth among all full-season minor league players, in addition to pacing the International League and all Rays minor league players. Mastrobuoni’s solo shot one inning later would extend the advantage to three before LF Ryan Boldt’s sacrifice fly in the fifth made it 4-0. The Jumbo Shrimp would end the Bulls’ shutout hopes in the seventh with a three-spot, highlighted by LF Brian Miller’s RBI triple to right.

Patino (5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 SO) earned the win with his five scoreless frames, scattering three hits while fanning six batters. Bay Rays reliever Nick Anderson (1.0 IP, 2 SO) fired a shutout inning with Durham as part of his MLB Rehab Assignment, while Ralph Garza Jr. (1.0 IP, 2 SO) notched his first save with the Bulls with a perfect ninth. Jacksonville righty Cody Mincey (5.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss.

The two teams are set to continue their six-game set on Saturday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm. Durham’s starter has not yet been announced, while the Jumbo Shrimp are anticipated to give the nod to RHP Jeff Lindgren (2-1, 5.79).

Tickets for that game and all remaining 2022 home dates can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com/tickets.