Shaffer, Motter Lift Bulls in Slugfest Win

Durham beats Scranton/WB 13-10 to win series

May 24, 2015

MOOSIC, PA - The Durham Bulls defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 13-10 Sunday afternoon at PNC Field, earning the series win in the finale of the four-game set.

Making his Triple-A debut, third baseman Richie Shaffer finished the day 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored, falling just a triple short of the cycle. Eight of Durham's nine starters hit safely in the contest, while Allan Dykstra and JP Arencibia each homered in the contest as well.

The RailRiders (22-23) plated the game's first run in the first inning, before Durham scored seven runs in the second inning to take a lead they'd never surrender. In his first Triple-A at bat Shaffer doubled to centerfield to score Mikie Mahtook. Dykstra came around to score a batter later on an error, before Leonardo Reginatto doubled home Shaffer. Taylor Motter followed with an RBI single, before Corey Brown joined the rally with a run-scoring single of his own. Eugenio Velez stayed hot by scoring two on a double to centerfield, closing the scoring for the inning.

The Bulls (24-22) increased their lead in the third inning, as Dykstra and Shaffer hit back-to-back dingers for a 9-1 advantage. After the home side scored a run in the third and fourth, the Bulls scored a trio in the fifth when Arencibia hit a solo homer, and Reginatto and Motter each drove in a run for a 12-3 lead.

Scranton/WB scored a pair in the fifth frame, but in the seventh Shaffer struck again, launching his second dinger of the ballgame as the Bulls jumped ahead 13-5. The RailRiders scored a run in the eighth inning and four in the ninth, but would get no closer as the Bulls won their third straight game.

Southpaw Scott Diamond (4-2) earned the win, despite allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits in five innings. Left-hander Matt Tracy (0-2) suffered the loss, lasting just 1 2/3 frames and surrendering seven runs (six earned) on six hits.

The Bulls return home for a nine-game homestand on Monday against the Rochester Red Wings. The Bulls send RHP Matt Andriese (0-0, 5.06) to the hill opposite LHP Jason Wheeler (1-2, 5.70) for the Red Wings. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. from the DBAP.