LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Last season, Durham right-hander Merrill Kelly posted a 4-1 record with a 1.15 ERA in five starts against the Gwinnett Braves. On Saturday night, he continued his career dominance of Gwinnett (4-5) as he tossed 6.0 innings of one-run baseball to lead the Durham Bulls (7-3) to a 4-3 victory at Coolray Field.

Durham jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning. G-Braves' right-hander Mitch Atkins (L, 0-2) gave up a leadoff double to Cole Figueroa, and after a sacrifice bunt moved Figueroa to third, Atkins walked the next three batters to force in the first run of the game. He allowed another run to score on a wild pitch, making it 2-0 Bulls.

The Bulls tacked on two more runs in the third inning against Atkins. With two outs, the Bulls connected for four straight hits. Mikie Mahtook ripped an RBI single up the middle, while Robby Price smacked an RBI double to right field, making it 4-0.

Ernesto Mejia brought Gwinnett to within three runs in the bottom of the fourth as he blasted his International League-leading sixth home run of the season.

In the bottom of the seventh, the G-Braves added another run thanks to the bat of Edward Salcedo. The third baseman doubled to start the inning against reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Constanza, cutting Durham's lead to 4-2.

Joey Terdoslavich and Mejia got the G-Braves within one run in the bottom of the eighth. Terdoslavich led off with a triple against reliever Brad Boxberger and scored on an RBI single by Mejia. Gwinnett had a chance to tie the game as pinch runner Derrick Mitchell stole second with no outs, but Boxberger retired the next three in order to keep it a 4-3.

That would be as close as the G-Braves would get. Kirby Yates (S, 5) closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning, recording his IL-leading fifth save of the season.

Atkins (L, 0-2) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on five hits in 3.0 innings. The G-Braves pitched well in relief, hurling six scoreless frames. Yunesky Maya worked four scoreless with three strikeouts, while Wirfin Obispo and Atahualpa Severino tossed an inning with two strikeouts each.

Offensively for Gwinnett, Mejia went 2-for-4 with the home run and two RBIs, while Mark Hamilton went 2-for-4.

Figueroa led Durham, as he went 2-for-5 with a run scored. Mahtook, Price and Jerry Sands each finished the night with one hit and one RBI.

The Gwinnett Braves and the Durham Bulls finish their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 PM. Atlanta Braves right-hander Gavin Floyd (0-0, 5.06) will make his third rehab start for Gwinnett, while the Bulls will counter with right-hander Nathan Karns (0-1, 13.50). Tony Schiavone will have the play-by-play call beginning at 1:50 PM on wdun.com, GwinnettBraves.com, TuneIn Radio and the MiLB First Pitch app.

Sunday afternoon is the first Sunday Family FunDay of the year at Coolray Field! Bring the family out early before the 2:05 PM game for a pre-game catch in the outfield. Catch begins when the gates open and lasts for 20 minutes. After the game, all kids 12 and under will get to run the bases! To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com

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The Gwinnett Braves are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Follow the G-Braves at gwinnettbraves.com, facebook.com/GwinnettBraves1 and twitter.com/GwinnettBraves. Tickets for all 2014 home games are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visiting GwinnettBraves.com.