Pitching Falters in Road Trip Finale

NORFOLK, VA - The Durham Bulls dropped the finale of their three-game set to the Norfolk Tides 10-6 Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park, as the home side earned a sweep with the victory.

The Bulls (30-41) scored just two batters in to the game, as Daniel Robertson doubled home Johnny Field who had singled to open the contest. Norfolk (26-44) came right back with two runs in the second inning and two more in the third though, claiming a 4-1 lead through three frames.

In the fourth Dayron Varona's sacrifice fly to left scored Richie Shaffer to close the gap to two runs, but Norfolk erupted for a five-run fifth inning - capped by Ozzie Martinez's grand slam - to open up a 9-2 advantage.

After the Tides scored once again in the sixth inning for an eight-run lead, Durham scored twice in the seventh as Field worked a bases-loaded walk, and Jake Goebbert scored on a ground out. In the ninth Field struck again, this time driving home two on a double to right field. That was as close as the visitors would get though, finishing their nine-game road trip with a 2-7 mark.

Joe Gunkel (4-4) earned the victory for Norfolk, allowing two runs on three hits across five innings. Adam Wilk suffered the loss for the Bulls by surrendering eight runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 frames.

Field and Robertson combined for five RBI out of the first and second spots in the batting order, respectively, with Field finishing 2-for-4 with a walk.

The Bulls return to Durham on Monday to open up a seven-game homestand as they begin a four-game set with the Charlotte Knights. LHP Justin Marks (2-5, 4.40) will make the start for the Bulls against RHP Chris Volstad (5-5, 4.35) for the Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.