Bulls Drop Opener in Pawtucket 3-1

PAWTUCKET, RI - The Durham Bulls dropped the opener of a three-game set to the Pawtucket Red Sox 3-1 Tuesday night at McCoy Stadium, dropping their second straight contest.

The PawSox (61-55) got on the board in the second inning, as Chris Marrero singled to lead off the frame before Brennan Boesch crushed a two-run dinger to right field for a 2-0 lead. In the fourth the home side extended its lead, as Christian Vazquez led off the inning with an opposite-field home run to right for a three-run advantage.

Durham (53-64) was kept off the scoreboard through the game's first seven innings, before Hank Conger lifted a two-out homer to right in the eighth inning. The Bulls would not get another runner the rest of the way though, going down in order in the ninth.

Henry Owens (7-6) picked up the victory for the home side with six scoreless innings, walking four and striking out seven, while Heath Hembree earned his sixth save of the campaign with a perfect ninth, striking out two in the frame. Austin Pruitt (8-8) battled over seven innings, striking out five and walking one while allowing three runs.

Matt Duffy went 2-for-3 with a walk in his second rehab appearance with Durham, while Conger finished with a pair of hits as well.

The series continues Wednesday at 7:05 p.m., when the rehabbing RHP Alex Cobb (NR) goes for the Bulls against LHP Brian Johnson (4-4, 4.13) for Pawtucket. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.