Tides Take Rubber Match by Blanking Bulls
DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls dropped the rubber match of a three-game set with the Norfolk Tides Saturday night at the DBAP, managing just three hits in a 4-0 loss.
For the third time in three games this series the Tides (56-72) scored the game's first run, scoring in the second inning when Christian Walker's sacrifice fly plated Dariel Alvarez for a 1-0 lead. That score held until the seventh frame when Walker struck again, this time driving home Alvarez on a double to left. After he advanced to third base later in the frame, Michael Almanzar's sac fly to center brought home Walker for a three-run advantage.
Walker's big night continued in the top half of the final inning, when he blasted a solo homer over the Blue Monster to cap the scoring at 4-0.
Scott McGough went the first four innings in a spot-start for Norfolk, allowing two hits and striking out five. Jayson Aqunio (1-0) then went 3 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking two, while Zach Phillips picked up his first save of the year by recording the final four outs. Austin Pruitt (8-9) pitched well in the loss for Durham, striking out six but surrendering seven hits and three runs in eight innings.
The Bulls (55-73) managed just three hits in the loss - all from Casey Gillaspie - as they were shut out for the league-leading 18th time in 2016.
The series shifts to Harbor Park in Norfolk on Sunday, when the Bulls send RHP Eddie Gamboa (5-4, 2.73) to the mound opposite LHP Andy Oliver (3-1, 2.32). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
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