Sloppy Defense Costs Bulls in Loss to PawSox
DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls committed a season-high five errors and managed just four hits in a 4-1 loss to the Pawtucket Red Sox Sunday evening at the DBAP, as the teams split the four-game series.
Pawtucket (47-44) plated a run in the first inning, as Henry Ramos reached on an error with two outs, and scored a batter later when Chris Marrero doubled to left field. The next inning Ryan Court doubled to score Jantzen Witte, and Court scored later in the frame on a two-out throwing error to put the visitors in front 3-0.
In the third Dayron Varona put Durham (40-52) on the scoreboard, when he launched his 12th home run of the season over the Blue Monster to cut the deficit to 3-1. That was as close as the Bulls would get however, as Pawtucket scored an insurance run in the ninth inning to close the scoring.
William Cuevas (6-3) earned the victory, allowing one run on three hits across eight innings, while Pat Light picked up his sixth save of the year with a scoreless ninth. Southpaw Justin Marks (2-9) was the tough-luck loser for the Bulls, surrendering three runs (one earned) over six innings while striking out six.
In addition to Varona's long ball, Taylor Motter and Jaff Decker each doubled for Durham, while Jake Goebbert chipped in a single.
The Bulls return to action on Thursday, July 14 following a three-day hiatus for the Triple-A All-Star Game festivities, which take place in Charlotte. Durham opens a four-game set against the Syracuse Chiefs in the first series of a three-city, 11-game road trip on Thursday.
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