Productive up and down the lineup, the Durham Bulls overcame the Norfolk Tides 6-4 Thursday night before 5,043 in North Carolina.
The Bulls took a 2-1 edge in the six-game series against the International League first-half champion Tides (53-29, 5-3 in the second half).
Seven of Durham’s nine batters hit safely. Osleivis Basabe was 3 for 5 with two RBIs and a run, and Ben Gamel was 2 for 4 with a run. Vidal Brujan scored twice and stole two bases despite being just 1 for 5.
The Tides’ Justin Armbruester (1-1) endured the roughest start in his short time in Triple-A, yielding five earned runs, eight hits, two pitch-clock violations and three walks despite striking out six.
Durham starter Cooper Criswell (2-3) gained the victory, giving up three earned runs aned five hits in five innings while striking out seven. Trevor Brigden struck out five in three hitless innings, and Josh Roberson got a save despite giving up a run in the ninth.
The Tides went ahead on RBI hits by Ryan Mountcastle, Connor Norby and Maverick Handley. But trailing 3-1, the Bulls went ahead to stay with a three-run fourth. Tristan Gray drove in two runs with a single to tie the score, and Blake Hunt brought home Niko Hulsizer on a sacrifice fly.
RBI doubles by Greg Jones in the fifth and Basabe in the sixth boosted the lead to 6-3.
Ryan McKenna scored on a wild pitch with one out in the ninth, but Roberson slammed the door.
The series will continue with a 6:35 game Friday night. Tides right-hander Garrett Stallings (0-1, 3.18 ERA), a former Grassfield High and Tennessee pitcher, is scheduled to start against Bulls right-hander Elvin Rodriguez (3-3, 3.40).
