Clippers Take Opener as Bulls Drop Third Straight

COLUMBUS, OH - The Durham Bulls dropped their third straight game Monday night, falling to the Columbus Clippers 4-1 in the opener of a three-game set at Huntington Park.

The Clippers (70-54) scored in the very first inning, as Giovanny Urshela walked with two outs, before Jesus Aguilar drove him home on a ground-rule double. Bradley Zimmer then singled to center, scoring Aguilar for a 2-0 lead.

The Bulls (54-69) got on the scoreboard in the sixth when Daniel Robertson led off with a double, and two batters later Taylor Motter drove him home to cut the deficit to 2-1. The home side struck for a pair of runs in the seventh though, as a Yandy Diaz single plated Guillermo Quiroz and Colin Cowgill for a 4-1 lead.

Adam Plutko (5-4) picked up the victory with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out eight and scattering six hits. Perci Garner picked up his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth, while Eddie Gamboa (5-4) took the loss after allowing four runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Casey Gillaspie and Johnny Field each finished with two hits for the Bulls, who lost for the seventh time in their last eight games.

The series continues Tuesday when the rehabbing Alex Cobb (0-1, 12.00) makes his second start of the season for Durham against RHP Shawn Haviland (0-1, 4.26) for Columbus. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.