Miscues Cost Bulls in 8-5 Loss

DURHAM, NC -A four-run deficit was too much to overcome for the Durham Bulls Saturday evening, as they fell 8-5 to the Gwinnett Stripers in front of 10,404 fans at the DBAP.
The Bulls scored first in the bottom of the second after Brandon Lowe doubled and later scored on an error by Stripers' catcher Chris Stewart, putting the home team in front 1-0.
In the top of the third, Gwinnett scored three runs on three hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Rio Ruiz, to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.
Gwinnett extended its lead with one run in each of the fourth and fifth innings on solo home runs by Danny Santana and Michael Reed, extending the deficit to 5-1.
The Bulls rallied in the bottom of the fifth, as Michael Russell singled, and Kevin Kiermaier drove in Russell with a double, his second hit. Later in the frame, Justin Williams and Ji-Man Choi each notched RBI singles, cutting the deficit to 5-4.  
Santana homered for the second time in the sixth inning, a two-run shot to give the Stripers a 7-4 lead.
Kean Wong led off the seventh with a single to right field. Williams followed with a line drive to center and Wong scored on a throwing error cutting the deficit to two. Later in the frame, Choi singled to left for his second hit of the game, putting runners on the corners. Lowe was hit by pitch to load the bases, but a ground out by Nick Ciuffo ended the threat and left the score 7-5 through seven.
Gwinnett added one run in the top of the ninth on an RBI-single by Phil Gosselin, extending its lead to 8-5.
Kiermaier finished 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI, one run scored, and two walks. The Bulls committed a season-high three errors for the third time this season, and left 12 runners on base, going 5-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Stripers' right-handed starter Lucas Sims (W, 4-2) earned his second consecutive win, tossing 5.2 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with a season-high eight strikeouts.
Chih-Wei Hu (L, 2-6) allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits, with two walks and five strikeouts over 5.0 innings.
The Bulls (37-29) face the Stripers (30-36) in the finale of this four-game series Sunday evening at the DBAP. Andrew Moore (1-1, 4.00) is scheduled to start for the Bulls against Wes Parsons (1-1, 3.47) for the Stripers with first pitch set for 5:05 p.m.