Refsnyder, Williams Lead Bulls Past Tides

DURHAM, NC - An early four-run lead was enough as the Durham Bulls held on to defeat the Norfolk Tides 7-4 on Sunday at the DBAP.
The Bulls got on the board early in a win over the Tides (46-41). All-Star selection Justin Williams doubled in two runs in the first, pushing the lead to 2-0 through one inning.
Rob Refsnyder tallied three hits, including a two-run home run in the second inning, extending the home team's lead to 4-0. Williams posted three RBI on his three-hit performance.
Refsnyder drove in two runs and scored twice, including his fourth double with the Bulls in the eighth inning.
The Bulls added one run in each of the fifth, sixth and eighth innings, including an RBI single off of the Blue Monster by Williams to stretch the lead to 7-3.
Yonny Chirinos made the start and allowed one hit while fanning four over three scoreless-innings. Chih-Wei Hu worked 3.0 innings out of the bullpen. Kyle Bird (W, 1-0) earned his first victory of the season after holding the Tides scoreless over 2.1 relief-innings, allowing just two hits.
All-Star selection Ian Gibaut allowed one run in the ninth inning on two hits, but finished the final two outs remaining in the ninth inning with one strikeout.
In total, the home team tallied 14 hits, reaching double-digit hits for the first time since July 2 against Gwinnett (19).
The Bulls head into the 2018 Triple-A All-Star break with a 51-37 record, and host the Charlotte Knights on Thursday, July 12 at the DBAP. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.