Bulls Win Pitchers Duel

Dan Johnson's eighth inning home run broke a 1-1 tie and the Durham Bulls went on to a 2-1 victory over the Gwinnett Braves Sunday at on Father's Day. After three blow-outs in the first three games of the series, the last game of the series saw two pitchers battle it out for six innings and then the bullpens took over.

Braves starting pitcher Todd Redmond came into the game fifth in the league although he was third on his team in E.R.A. Redmond had a 5-6 record with a 2.60 E.R.A. And the start didn't hurt that as he lowered the ERA to 2.50 as he pitched 6 innings giving up one run on 5 hits, 3 walks and a strikeout. He threw 114 pitches.

Durham jumped on top in the first inning as centerfielder Brandon Guyer singled in shortstop Ray Olmeda with no outs. The first three Bulls reached on a walk and two singles but a fielders choice and a double play got Todd Redmond out of the inning.

Redmond was hooked up in a good old fashioned pitcher's battle with Bulls pitcher Brian Baker. Baker came in with a 5-4 record and a 5.37 ERA. But Baker retired 15 out of the first 16 batters and had only given up a first inning single to Mauro Gomez. Redmond had thrown over 100 pitches after six innings and Baker was at 54 going into the bottom of the sixth. In the sixth Baker retired the first two G-Braves but Jose Constanza doubled to snap a streak of 15 in a row retired by Baker. Centerfielder Matt Young tripled in Constanza to tie the game 1-1. After Gomez was intentionally walked, Stefan Gartrell pinch hit for newly acquired Chris Carter but struck out.

Durham took the lead in the top of the eighth inning on a solo home run by Dan Johnson, his second of the year, off Jaye Chapman (1-1) to give Durham a 2-1 lead.

"We had some opportunities and we had the right guys at the plate," said Gwinnett Braves Manager Dave Brundage. "We had the heart of the order and just needed contact. I know early on Baker was pitching well. Kept us off balance with his changups. We pushed across the run. You know you kind of got a feel for the ball game. It was going to be a close, low scoring ball game. It was hot and humid. We had the right guys at the plate."

Gartrell and Daniel Nelson both struck out with runners at first and third in the eighth inning and only one out.

Mike Eckstrom was the winning pitcher while Jake McGee came in to pick up the save for Durham. The Braves will start a new series with Syracuse for four games begjnning Monday at Coolray Field at 7 p.m.