Durham Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Gwinnett

DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls fell to the Gwinnett Braves 3-2 Saturday night at the DBAP in the second game of a three-game set, dropping their second straight contest.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Ryan Brett doubled with one away. Taylor Motter then reached on an error that put runners on the corners, and an errant pickoff throw scored Brett and put Motter on second base with just one out. The next two batters struck out though, ending the contest and dropping Durham (52-55) three games below .500 for the first time since April.

Gwinnett (55-51) wasted no time taking the lead in the early-going, scoring in the top of the first inning when Christian Bethancourt grounded out to shortstop, plating Eric Young Jr. who had singled two batters earlier.

With one out in the bottom of the third, the rehabbing Desmond Jennings doubled down the leftfield line before Corey Brown walked. JP Arencibia then singled to load the bases, and Richie Shaffer's sacrifice fly to deep centerfield tied the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless fourth inning Gwinnett retook the lead in the fifth, when Mycal Jones hit a solo homer off the Snorting Bull in left. Later in the frame Mallex Smith singled, stole second base and scored on a bloop single to center off the bat of Young Jr. as the visitors took a two-run lead.

Right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (3-1) earned the win by allowing just one run on five hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking four. Southpaw Scott Diamond (9-5) took the loss, surrendering three runs over eight hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Despite allowing an unearned run in the ninth, Ryan Kelly picked up his eighth save of the season.

The Bulls try to avoid the sweep Sunday at 5:05 p.m. as the two sides conclude the series. RHP Bradin Hagens (1-2, 3.10) takes the mound for Durham, while LHP Greg Smith (3-4, 2.53) toes the rubber for Gwinnett.