Buffalo, NY --- Brandon Snyder drilled a two-run, opposite field home run in the ninth to lift the Durham Bulls past the Buffalo Bisons 4-3 on Thursday night in the series opener at Coca Cola Field.The Bulls (55-41) trailed 3-0 into the seventh before the offense started to find its
Buffalo, NY --- Brandon Snyder drilled a two-run, opposite field home run in the ninth to lift the Durham Bulls past the Buffalo Bisons 4-3 on Thursday night in the series opener at Coca Cola Field.
The Bulls (55-41) trailed 3-0 into the seventh before the offense started to find its groove. Brandon Lowe connected against lefty starter Thomas Pannone for a solo shot to right. In the eighth, Andrew Velazquez tripled to right-center, then scored on a ground out by Nick Ciuffo to make it 3-2. In the ninth, Willy Adames stroked a leadoff single to left against reliever Jose Fernandez (L, 1-2). After Lowe fanned, Snyder squared up a 3-2 fastball to right-center, his team-leading 12th for a 4-3 lead.
Austin Pruitt (W, 2-0) worked four innings behind starter Yonny Chirinos to register the victory. Pruitt did not allow a hit, fanning five. The game ended on a strikeout of Anthony Alford and catcher Nick Ciuffo throwing out pinch-runner Roeman Fields attempting to steal second base.
Thomas Pannone, making his third career start, threw six scoreless innings before the Lowe home run in the seventh.
Durham has a 3-1 lead in the season series against Buffalo (43-47).
Yonny Chirinos allowed three runs (two earned) over his five inning start.
With Durham's win and a Norfolk doubleheader sweep over Rochester, the Bulls' South Division lead was trimmed back to five full games.
The four-game series continues Friday night with Zach Lee (2-2, 3.68) opposing Chris Rowley (5-6, 3.45) at 7:05 PM ET.
