Stripers Walk Off With 2-1 Win Over Bulls

Bulls center fielder Grant Witherspoon bashed a game-tying home run in the ninth, however Stripers starting pitcher Bryce Elder fired seven scoreless frames and catcher Chadwick Tromp smashed a game-winning single in Gwinnett’s 2-1 win over Durham on Friday evening at Coolray Field.

The Stripers struck first in the third via DH Preston Tucker’s sacrifice fly to left for the 1-0 advantage. That score remained the same until the ninth, when Witherspoon mashed his solo blast to right to even the contest. Gwinnett, however, would answer in the bottom of the ninth. 1B Mike Ford drew a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Braden Shewmaker, who stole second and advanced to third on an error before coming across on Tromp’s walk-off base hit.

Witherspoon (2-4, R, HR, RBI) and 1B Jim Haley (2-3) each posted multi-hit efforts for Durham in the defeat. Tromp (2-4, RBI) and 2B Hernan Perez (2-4) each recorded two knocks for the Stripers.

Elder (7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO) did not factor in the final decisions despite firing seven scoreless frames, yielding six hits while striking out five. Gwinnett reliever Jesus Cruz (1.0 IP, H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned the victory despite recording a blown save, while Bulls righty Dusten Knight (0.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB) suffered the defeat.

The two teams are set to continue their series on Saturday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05pm. RHP Jayden Murray is anticipated to get the nod for Durham to make his Triple-A debut and be opposed by Gwinnet LHP Tucker Davidson.

The Bulls return to the DBAP on Friday, July 22 to begin a nine-game homestand hosting the Norfolk Tides and Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Their series opener versus Norfolk is set for 6:35pm.

Tickets for that game and all remaining 2022 home dates can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com/tickets.