Bulls Drop Second Straight to Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Durham Bulls dropped the finale of a four-game set to the Charlotte Knights 2-1 Sunday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark.

Charlotte (4-6) got to Durham started Blake Snell in the first inning, scoring its only two runs of the contest. Tim Anderson led off with a double, and scored a batter later when Carlos Sanchez singled to left field. After Sanchez was picked off, Matt Davidson launched a solo homer to put the home side ahead 2-0.

The Bulls (6-5) would answer in the top of the second inning, when Richie Shaffer and Mikie Mahtook notched back-to-back singles to begin the frame. After a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, Nick Franklin's sacrifice fly to center field plated Shaffer to cut the deficit to one.

Each team would threaten the rest of the way, but neither could scratch anything else across, as Durham finished 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position, while Charlotte went just 1 for 7.

Miguel Gonzalez (1-0) picked up the victory for the Knights, allowing just one run on four hits over six innings. Snell (1-1) lost for the first time in a nine-start span dating back to Aug. 4, 2015, surrendering two runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 frames while striking out seven.

After tallying just four hits in Saturday's loss, the Bulls managed just five in Sunday's defeat. Two hits came from Shaffer, who upped his season average to .316.

The Bulls' 10-game road trip continues Monday, when they open a three-game set against the Gwinnett Braves. RHP Matt Andriese (0-1, 4.91) takes the hill for Durham opposite RHP Mike Foltynewicz (1-0, 0.90) for Gwinnett. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.