Karns, Bulls Finish Off Sweep Over Gwinnett

Lawrenceville, GA --- Nathan Karns fanned seven over five innings in leading the Durham Bulls their fifth straight victory, beating the Gwinnett Braves 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulls (8-3), who swept the three-game set with the Braves (4-6), took a 2-0 lead in the second against Gavin Floyd. Mike Fontenot and Ali Solis singled to start the inning, then following a sacrifice, Ray Olmedo was robbed of a two-run single by shortstop Tyler Greene. But Olmedo's grounder brought home the first run as Durham took a 1-0 lead. A passed ball scored Solis from third to establish the two run advantage.

The lead grew to 3-0 in the fifth on a bases loaded single to right by Robby Price.

Meanwhile, Karns (W, 1-1) earned his first Triple-A win, working five innings, fanning seven hitters and walking just two. Karns lost the shutout in the fifth on a homer to left from Tyler Greene. Karns retired nine straight prior to Greene's home run, fanning five batters in that stretch.

Adam Liberatore and Steve Geltz combined to throw three scoreless innings, with CJ Riefenhauser working the ninth to record his first career Triple-A save.

Solis paced an 12-hit attack by the Bulls, going 3-5 and throwing out two basestealers. The Bulls stranded 16 aboard in the game, including the bases loaded three times.

The Bulls maintain their two-game lead in the South heading to BB&T Ballpark on Monday night against second place Charlotte. Enny Romero (1-1, 3.72) starts the opener against Andre Rienzo (0-1, 3.00) at 7:05 PM ET