Kelly Grand Slam Propels Bulls Past Tides 4-3

Bulls pinch hitter Dalton Kelly belted a grand slam while CF Josh Lowe clubbed two doubles to propel Durham to a 4-3 victory Friday evening at Harbor Park.

After four scoreless innings, the Tides broke the gridlock with an RBI double from RF Zach Jarrett. Durham struck back in the sixth after loading the bases, capped off by Kelly’s sixth homer of the season, making the score 4-1.

The Tides added another run after a line drive by Jarrett snuck over the wall in right field. Durham relievers Adrian De Horta (1.1 IP, 3 H, R, ER, K) and Louis Head (1.2 IP, BB, 5 K) staved off a hefty threat in the seventh after Norfolk placed runners on second and third. However, the Tides were left empty handed after Head produced back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. Head was dominant on the bump, striking out three of the four batters he faced in the eighth.

The game’s final frame presented drama, as Norfolk LF Jahmai Jones lifted an RBI single to right field, scoring CF Ryan McKenna. Despite giving up this tally, Durham reliever Brent Honeywell (1.0 IP, H, R, BB, K) came in to close it out for the Bulls, earning his first save of the season.

Bulls starter Drew Strotman (5.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 7 K) was stingy on the mound, earning his fifth win. Norfolk’s Shawn Armstrong (1.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R, BB, K) suffered the loss.

The two teams are scheduled to continue their series on Saturday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm ET. RHP Luis Patino (1-1, 4.35) is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls, while the Tides are expected to send RHP Kyle Bradish (1-0, 3.44) to the hill.

The Bulls are scheduled to return to Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, June 29 to start a six-game series with the Gwinnett Stripers. First pitch of that game is slated for 6:35pm ET. Tickets for that game and all remaining Bulls home games are now available at durhambulls.com.