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Gwinnett Stripers

Bulls Walk off Despite Sims' Dominance

July 3, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


DURHAM, NC - Gwinnett Stripers right-hander Lucas Sims faced one Durham batter more than the minimum over 7.0 innings, but the Bulls plated the game's winning run with a walk-off walk in the ninth Tuesday to win 2-1 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The Stripers ended their 10-game road trip with a 1-9 record.

The ninth inning began with Ji-Man Choi reaching on a throwing error by Gwinnett reliever Jacob Webb. Justin Williams then drew a walk and the Stripers opted for Jason Hursh out of the bullpen. Hursh walked Andrew Velazquez to load the bases, but got Nick Ciuffo to line out to left for the second out. However, Hursh walked Jason Coats on five pitches to force in Choi with the winning run.

The loss spoiled Sims' dominating start in which he allowed just two hits over a season-high 7.0 innings, while matching a career-high with 11 strikeouts. The Lawrenceville, Georgia native retired 10 batters in a row twice in the game, to start and between the fourth and sixth innings. Only Rob Refsnyder and Brandon Lowe reached base via singles, but Lowe was erased in the seventh on a Choi double play.

Gwinnett had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth as Carlos Franco led off the inning with a single to center off Durham starting pitcher Chih-Wei Hu. With two outs, Rob Brantly walked to put runner on first and second, and Tyler Smith followed with an RBI single to center.

The 1-0 lead lasted until the bottom of the eighth against Rex Brothers. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Brothers walked Andrew Velazquez, Ciuffo and Coats to load the bases. Brothers was pulled in favor of Webb, who threw a wild pitch and allowed a runner to score from third to tie the game at 1-1.

Brothers went 0.1 of an inning with one run and three walks. Webb (BS, 1) (L, 0-2) worked 1.0 inning with one unearned run, two walks and one strikeout. Hursh pitched 0.1 of an inning with two walks. In total, the three Gwinnett relievers walked seven without allowing a hit over the final 1.2 innings.

For Durham, Hu tossed 7.0 innings with three hits, one earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Jaime Schultz went 1.0 inning with one walk. Colin Poche (W, 4-0) worked 1.0 inning with one hit and two strikeouts.

For the Stripers, Rio Ruiz was 1-for-4 to push his hitting streak to eight games. Dustin Peterson was 0-for-3 with a walk to bring his on bases streak to 18 games. Smith was 1-for-4 with the only RBI.

The Stripers (35-48) return to Coolray Field Wednesday for a Fourth of July celebration at 7:05 p.m. to begin a five-game homestand, starting with a two-game series against the Norfolk Tides (43-39). The Stripers will start righty Matt Wisler (2-3, 3.44). Norfolk has righty Matt Wotherspoon (2-5, 4.50) scheduled. Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 and 93.5 FM "The Other Side of the River" beginning at 6:35 p.m.

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International League Stories from July 3, 2018


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