Scranton Slips Past Durham 3-2

Bradley fires six scoreless with six strikeouts, Bulls division lead down to 2.5

Right-hander Taj Bradley was one of four 2022 Bulls players to be named to MiLB.com's Tampa Bay Rays Organization All-Star squad. (Paxton Rembis (Durham Bulls))

September 10, 2022

Bulls starting pitcher Taj Bradley fired six scoreless innings and fanned six batters, however RailRiders first baseman Armando Alvarez clubbed two hits and drove in two runs and reliever Deivi Garcia fired four shutout innings of relief as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre topped Durham 3-2 on Saturday evening at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Bulls starting pitcher Taj Bradley fired six scoreless innings and fanned six batters, however RailRiders first baseman Armando Alvarez clubbed two hits and drove in two runs and reliever Deivi Garcia fired four shutout innings of relief as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre topped Durham 3-2 on Saturday evening at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. As a result of the Bulls’ loss to the RailRiders and Jacksonville’s victory over Iowa, Durham’s advantage in the International League East Division is at two and a half games with 16 games remaining.

Bradley (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 SO) tossed his third consecutive quality outing, yielding just two hits and two walks, adding six strikeouts. Over his last three starts, the Rays’ top prospect has posted a 1-0 record along with a 2.00 earned-run average, adding 17 strikeouts compared to just three walks.

Following a 27 minute rain delay, Durham jumped ahead when C Rene Pinto dropped a double into short center field, with 1B Luke Raley scoring from first thanks to an error to make it 1-0. That score would remain the same until the eighth, when Scranton/Wilkes-Barre scored a trio of tallies courtesy of Alvarez’s two-run single to right, along with 3B Phillip Evans’ run-scoring knock. The Bulls would narrow their deficit to one in the ninth via RF Ruben Cardenas’ RBI single, however the tying run would be left stranded on base.

Garcia (4.0 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 SO) earned the victory with his four scoreless frames of support, with reliever Jimmy Cordero (1.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 2 SO) notching his first save. Durham righty Jimmy Yacabonis (0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, SO) suffered the defeat.

The two teams are set to meet for their series finale on Sunday evening, with first pitch scheduled for RHP 5:05pm. RHP Easton McGee is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls and be opposed by RHP Sean Boyle.

Tickets for that game and all remaining 2022 home dates can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com/tickets.