G-Braves Take Rubber Match as Bulls Fall 4-2

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Durham Bulls dropped the finale of a three-game set Wednesday afternoon, falling 4-2 to the Gwinnett Braves at Coolray Field.

The G-Braves (20-21) jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning. Ozzie Albies hit a lead-off homer, before four more hits led to two more runs in the frame. In the second the home side added to its lead when Emerson Landoni doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly for a 4-0 advantage.

Durham (17-24) plated its first run of the game in the fourth when Richie Shaffer doubled and scored on a single by Carlos Corporan. The Bulls made it a 4-2 ballgame in the fifth inning, when Nick Franklin delivered a sacrifice fly that scored Juniel Querecuto, who had singled.

Righty Tyrell Jenkins (4-2) earned the win for Gwinnett, tossing six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings. Southpaw Adam Wilk (1-4) took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) over 5 1/3. Dylan Floro and Tyler Sturdevant combined for 2 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the visitors, as the Bulls dropped the series rubber match.

Offensively Jaff Decker led the way for the Bulls, tallying a three-hit contest. Querecuto added a pair of hits, while Mikie Mahtook doubled and walked twice in the 10-hit attack. Durham finished the day 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, while leaving 12 men on base.

The Bulls return to the DBAP on Thursday when they open a four-game set with the Rochester Red Wings. LHP Justin Marks (1-3, 3.52) gets the ball for Durham, opposite LHP Jason Wheeler (1-1, 2.08) for Rochester. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.