Middle Innings Doom Bulls in 5-1 Loss

DURHAM, NC - The Durham Bulls fell to the Columbus Clippers 5-1 Tuesday evening at the DBAP, allowing all five runs to score in the fourth and fifth innings to see their winning streak halted at three games.

The Bulls (60-78) jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first inning when Taylor Motter's single plated Daniel Robertson. The lead lasted until the fourth, when Jesus Aguilar's two-run dinger over the Blue Monster put Columbus up 2-1.

The Clippers (80-58) extended their lead the very next inning, beginning with Erik Gonzalez's RBI single. With two outs Yhoxian Medina scored on a wild pitch, before Aguilar struck again with an RBI double as the visitors took a four-run advantage. The home side failed to score with runners in scoring position in the fifth and the seventh though, as they dropped the second game of the three-game set.

Righty Toru Murata (8-4) picked up the victory after allowing just one run across six innings, while two relievers combined to shut the Bulls out the final three innings. Jaime Schultz (5-7) took the loss, surrendering three runs on five hits across four innings and striking out three.

The rubber match of the three-game set is scheduled for Wednesday, as RHP Austin Pruitt (8-10, 3.70) takes the mound for Durham against RHP Adam Plutko (6-5, 4.06) for Columbus. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and gates will open at 5 p.m. for the team's Trucks, Beats & Brews event.

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