Durham Bests Pawtucket, Wins Series in 8-2 Victory

PAWTUCKET, RI - The Durham Bulls defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox 8-2 Sunday afternoon at McCoy Stadium, winning the rubber match of a three-game set and finishing their seven-game road trip 5-2.

Trailing 2-1 after two innings, the Bulls (14-11) erupted for a six-run third inning to take a lead they would never relinquish. Mikie Mahtook put Durham on top 3-2 with a two-run homer just two batters into the inning. After J.P. Arencibia doubled, Luke Maile walked and Corey Brown singled to load the bases, Arencibia came around to score on a dropped pop-up on the Infield Fly rule. Alexi Casilla then singled to re-load the bases, before Vince Belnome walked to score Maile. Taylor Motter followed with an RBI groundout, before Eugenio Velez capped the inning's scoring with a double off the left field wall, scoring Casilla for a 7-2 Durham advantage.

In the sixth Durham scored the game's final run, as Mahtook doubled to left field, then scored on Arencibia's single up the middle for a six-run advantage.

Southpaw Scott Diamond (3-0) turned in another strong outing, allowing just two runs on four hits over six innings to win his third straight start. Andy Oliver, Jordan Norberto and Ronald Belisario each tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen to preserve the victory, stretching the bullpen's scoreless inning streak to 16 frames. Left-hander Brian Johnson (3-2) took the loss for Pawtucket (15-10), surrendering seven runs on six hits and five walks over just 2 2/3 innings.

Mahtook and Casilla led the charge offensively for Durham, each tallying three hits, while Velez and Arencibia each tallied a pair of hits on the afternoon.

The Bulls have their first off day of the season Monday, before returning to action Tuesday against the Buffalo Bisons at the DBAP. RHP Andrew Bellatti (1-0, 2.76) is slated to start for Durham opposite RHP Chad Jenkins (1-1, 2.89) for Buffalo. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.