Stripers Swept by Durham With Sunday Loss

DURHAM, N.C. – The Gwinnett Stripers (68-56) could not overcome a four-run deficit after four innings, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Durham Bulls (82-43) on Sunday afternoon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Decisive Play**s:* Durham took a 1-0 lead in the third inning with Dalton Kelly’s sacrifice fly off *Connor Johnstone** (L, 3-8). The Bulls added three more runs in the fourth inning, two of them via wild pitches by Gwinnett relievers.

Key Contributors**:* *Drew Waters* hit a two-run home run (11) in the sixth inning to bring Gwinnett within two runs. *Phillip Ervin* smashed a solo shot (8) in the seventh inning to make it a 4-3 game. Kenny Rosenberg (W, 4-0) tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in relief for the win. Louis Head (S, 5) retired the Stripers in order in the ninth inning for the save. *Touki Toussaint, **Daysbel Hernandez, and Brooks Wilson combined to keep Durham off the scoreboard in innings six through eight that kept the Stripers in the contest.

Noteworthy: Waters finished the series batting .316 (6-for-19) with two homers, three runs, and three RBIs. The Stripers finish 2021 with a 5-12 record against division-rival Durham. Gwinnett also drops to 0-5 in the 10-game “Triple-A Final Stretch.”

Next Game (Wednesday, September 29): Gwinnett vs. Jacksonville, 11:05 a.m. at Coolray Field (Education Day, the Stripers will welcome area students to take in a matinee game in a fun and educational environment). RHP Bryce Elder (2-3, 2.20 ERA) for the Stripers vs. TBD for the Jumbo Shrimp. Radio Broadcast: 10:50 a.m. on MyCountry993.com.