Decker, Pruitt Lead Bulls to Shutout Win

DURHAM, NC - Jaff Decker homered twice and Austin Pruitt dealt seven shutout innings as the Durham Bulls beat the Gwinnett Braves 3-0 Thursday night at the DBAP in the opener of a four-game set.

Decker got things going for the Bulls (23-32) when he led off the second inning with a home run that just curled inside the foul pole down the right field line. Jake Goebbert doubled two batters later, and Kyle Roller doubled him home with two outs in the frame to give the Bulls a 2-0 lead. In the fourth Decker struck again, hammering his second homer of the evening into the right field seats.

That was all Pruitt (4-3) and the bullpen would need, as Durham notched consecutive wins for the first time since early-May. The right-hander went seven innings and allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out seven, marking the seventh time in 11 starts this season he allowed one earned run or fewer. Neil Wagner dealt a scoreless eight frame, while Steve Geltz earned his first save of the season by preserving the lead in the ninth.

Casey Kelly (2-2) took the loss for Gwinnett (25-29), surrendering three runs on six hits across seven innings. Decker was the only Bull to notch a multi-hit game, as he tallied his fourth and fifth homers of the campaign.

The series continues Friday when LHP Adam Wilk (1-6, 3.22) takes the hill for Durham opposite LHP Manny Banuelos (0-0, 2.45) for Gwinnett. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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