Scranton/WB RailRiders shut out Durham Bulls in pitcher’s duel

The Durham Bulls dropped a 2-0 decision to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Tuesday night at the DBAP, managing just three hits in the second game of a three-game series.

After the teams traded zeros through the game’s first seven innings, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (30-22) struck in the eighth frame. With two outs, Nick Swisher fluttered a single to shallow right field scoring Ben Gamel and Jake Cave to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Durham managed just one baserunner over the game’s final two innings, as it dropped its third contest in its last four tries.

The game opened as a pitcher’s duel between Durham prospect Blake Snell and Scranton/WB veteran Phil Coke. Snell and Coke each struck out five and allowed three hits, with Snell going five innings and Coke dealing 5 2/3. Conor Mullee (4-0) earned the win in relief for the RailRiders by tossing 1 1/3 innings and striking out three, while Anthony Swarzak picked up his sixth save of the season with a perfect ninth frame. Steve Geltz (0-1) took the loss for Durham after allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

The Bulls were held to just three singles in the contest, with Johnny Field notching his first Triple-A hit and Richie Shaffer and Jake Goebbert adding the other knocks. The shutout marked the 10^th time the Bulls (21-32) were held scoreless on the season.

The series concludes Wednesday when the Bulls send RHP Jaime Schultz (3-2, 3.02) to the hill, while Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has yet to name a starter. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 11:30 PM with the headline "Scranton/WB RailRiders shut out Durham Bulls in pitcher’s duel."