Bulls Return to DBAP For 1st Time in 607 Days, Fall 4-3

Bulls left fielder Dalton Kelly smacked two hits, including a home run, however Jumbo Shrimp right fielder Jesus Sanchez homered and was joined by center fielder Monte Harrison in driving in two runs in Jacksonville’s 4-3 win over Durham on Tuesday evening in the first game at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in 607 days in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,737.

Sanchez smashed a two-run shot in the first to start the scoring before Harrison extended the advantage to 4-0 with a two-run triple to left. After a Bulls RBI groundout in the last of the fourth ended the Jumbo Shrimps’ shutout hopes, SS Wander Franco lofted a sacrifice fly to left to make it 4-3. Kelly would then leave the yard in the eighth, however Durham was unable to erase the deficit further.

Jacksonville reliever Preston Guilmet (2.0 IP) earned the win in support of starter Shawn Morimando (4.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 8 K), while Steven Okert (1.0 IP, 2 K) notched the save. The Bulls relief trio of Brian Moran (1.0 IP, H, 2 K), Tyler Zombro (2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K) and Yacksel Rios (1.0 IP, H) combined for four shutout innings behind starter Joe Ryan, who suffered the defeat.

Durham and Jacksonville are set to face off in the second game of their six-game series on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm. RHP Adrian De Horta (0-0, 19.29) is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls, with the Jumbo Shrimp slated to send RHP Nick Neidert (0-0, 0.00) to the hill. Tickets with socially-distanced seating for that game and all Bulls home games in May are available at durhambulls.com.