Maile, Bulls Slow Down Tides, 5-3

Norfolk, VA --- Before a home-opening sellout crowd, the Durham Bulls scored four in the third and held off the Norfolk Tides 5-3 on Saturday night at Harbor Park.

After losing three straight to the Tides (6-4) at the DBAP, the Bulls (4-6) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fourth banging three extra base hits against Norfolk knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa (L, 0-1). Mikie Mahtook and Joey Butler each doubled to start the scoring, then following a walk and a strikeout, Luke Maile drove a two-run triple into left-centerfield Alexi Casilla's ensuing grounder scored Maile to give Durham a 4-0 edge.

Norfolk replied in the bottom half with three against Durham starter Scott Diamond, but the Bulls relievers combined to throw five scoreless innings to preserve the victory.

Still leading 4-3 in the ninth, Maile singled with one out and advanced to third on a deflected single by Casilla. Then on the first pitch from Chaz Roe, Hak-Ju Lee deftly executed a safety squeeze bunt to score Maile with the insurance run.

Jordan Norberto (W, 1-0) pitched two innings with four strikeouts to earn the win. Kirby Yates worked a scoreless seventh in his first game back with the Bulls since being optioned down by Tampa Bay earlier in the week. Bryce Stowell and Ronald Belisario (S, 1) combined for the final two innings.

Maile and Lee each had two hits to lead the seven-hit attack.

The Bulls close out their five-game split-location series on Sunday with Dylan Floro (1-0, 4.09) opposing Norfolk's Tyler Wilson (0-1, 3.60) at 1:05 PM ET.