DeLuca blasts Bulls by Stripers, 8-5

Jonny DeLuca homered and drove in four runs to lead the Durham Bulls past the Gwinnett Stripers 8-5 on Thursday night at Coolray Field.

The win marked Durham’s (12-18) second set of consecutive wins this season. Jacob Waguespack (W, 1-1) permitted two runs over five innings, fanning seven to earn the win.

Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, DeLuca smashed a three-run shot against Dylan Dodd (L, 2-2) to put the Bulls ahead. DeLuca singled home a run in the sixth and singled again in the ninth inning.

Waguespack battled early, giving up a run in the first, but then wiggled through a bases loaded, none out jam in the third, only permitting one run. Waguespack fanned consecutive batters before inducing a force out to escape.

Joe Record (S, 1) closed out the ninth inning to earn his first save in the Tampa Bay organization.

Ronny Simon went 3-5, driving in one run and scoring twice.

Josh Lowe went 0-5 with an RBI as his major league rehab resumed after a week pause. Jonathan Aranda went 0-5 as he continued his rehab assignment.

Durham returns home against the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday, May 7th.