Julio Teheran was already a tough enough assignment for the Durham Bulls before he got so much help from his offense.
The Gwinnett Braves got to Matt Torra for three runs in the first inning and kept it up, topping the Bulls 9-3 in the opener of their four-game series.
The result cut the Bulls’ lead to a single game over Gwinnett in the International League’s South Division.
Teheran (11-1), the IL’s winningest pitcher, went six innings and allowed one run on eight hits with nine strikeouts against a walk. Torra (0-1) gave up four runs in six innings.
“He’s very good – even more with the lead,” Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo said. “A guy with those numbers, he’s one of the best prospects in baseball. Torra pitched better after that (first inning) but we need to come out from the first inning and have a chance. They’ve got some good arms, though.”
Stefan Gartrell had two doubles and a single for two RBI to lead the Braves’ 12-hit attack.
“Teheran and (reliever Arodys) Viscaino – a couple of not-too-shabby arms,” Gwinnett manager Dave Brundage said. “We’re facing Matt Moore tomorrow and I understand he’s got a great arm as well. So it is fun to see talented young men who are toeing that rubber at this age and at Triple-A already. I thought Teheran pitched OK. He didn’t have consistent command of his fastball, but he had a much better changeup and a more consistent curveball, but it doesn’t hurt when you’re throwing 95-96 miles per hour.”
Russ Canzler had his 13th homer of the season along with a pair of singles for the Bulls. John Madelia also homered for Durham, while Felipe Lopez chipped in two hits.
“I had faced Teheran a couple of times, in Double-A last year and once this year, and he’s one of the bigger prospects in baseball for a reason,” Canzler said. “He’s definitely got electric stuff, and I think his off-speed stuff got better than the last time I saw him. He was throwing his curveball and his slider for strikes and his changeup. It’s almost like he was toying with us for a little while there, especially when he has 95 in his back pocket.”
Game 2 of the four-game set is tonight at 7:05, with Matt Moore (0-0, 1.80) taking on Gwinnett’s Mike Minor (3-4, 3.18) in a battle of lefties.
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