Bourgeois Paces Bulls Comeback Win Over Gwinnett

The first-place Durham Bulls finished a two-game sweep of Gwinnett with a come-from-behind, 3-2 win in front of a paid crowd of 9,255 on Thursday at the DBAP. With the victory, the Bulls surpassed their win total from last season and retained the best record in professional baseball (67-39).

One night after the Bulls managed to win with just four singles, Durham won despite getting just seven hits.

They had to come from behind to do it, though. Bulls' starter Merrill Kelly (W, 5-1, 2.63) gave up a run in the first on a bases-loaded walk. The Braves added a run in the third, when Todd Cunningham tripled and scored on a groundout.

The Bulls were able to stay close with some strong outfield defense. Kevin Kiermaier, last year's defensive player of the year in the Rays' organization, threw out a runner at the plate to end the first inning, and Jason Bourgeois did the same to end the third.

Right after his inning-ending throw, Bourgeois singled to lead off the third and ended up scoring on Leslie Anderson's grounder, which gave Anderson a team-high 61 RBIs for the year.

Bourgeois helped the Bulls complete the comeback an inning later. Shelley Duncan doubled and advanced to third on Kiermaier's fielders' choice grounder. Kiermaier continued his impressive 2013 Bulls debut by stealing second. Bourgeois then singled Duncan and Kiermaier home with two outs to give the Bulls their first lead of the game.

Kirby Yates got the final five outs to earn his twelfth save of the year. Cody Martin (L, 2-2, 3.26) took the loss for Gwinnett.

The Bulls now hit the road for an eight game trip to Ohio. A four-game series with Columbus starts Friday. RHP Matt Buschmann (5-0, 3.44) starts for the Bulls against the Clippers' LHP T.J. House (3-10, 4.95).