DURHAM BULLS ATHLETIC PARK It’s Game 2 of the Bulls’ four-game home series with the rival Gwinnett Braves, and Durham has a chance to escape the cellar-dwelling visitors.

Bulls outfielder Stephen Vogt

The Bulls come into the contest 11 games behind the first-place Charlotte Knights in the International League’s South Division race with 31 games to play. Durham is two games ahead of Gwinnett and four back of second-place Norfolk.

Evan Longoria will continue his rehab stint as the Bulls’ designated hitter. And the pitching staff will try to continue its recent successes, having tossed back-to-back shutouts for the first time since April 13-14, 2008.

Alex Colome makes his Bulls debut on the hill while Miguel Batista (1-0, 3.60) goes for Gwinnett.

And the Bulls keep their winning ways going, holding on for a 5-3 victory.

Colome is brilliant, going six shutout innings and allowing two hits with four strikeouts against a pair of walks.

The Bulls bust up the shutout with four runs in the seventh off Buddy Carlyle. Jesus Feliciano starts it with a one-out single to center, followed by Tim Beckham’s single to right. Stephen Vogt then hit a two-run triple to right center.

With two out, Leslie Anderson hits an RBI single to right, followed by Chris Gimenez’ RBI double to left.

But Gwinnett cuts the lead to one run with a one-out rally in the eighth. With Frank De Los Santos on the hill Josh Wilson and Felix Pie draw back-to-back walks before Ernesto Mejia launches the next pitch high over the Blue Monster wall in left.

The Bulls tack on another one off Peter Moylan in the eighth. With two out Feliciano singles to left before stealing his 200th career base. Beckham follows with an infield hit to second before Vogt scores the run on an infield hit to third.

Vogt goes 3-for-4 with the three RBI to lead the Bulls’ 12-hit attack. Adam Liberatore (1-0) is the winning pitcher, while Dane De La Rosa picks up his 14th save.

Longoria goes 0-for-4 with a walk.

They said it …
Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo: “If you think we’re going to win 4-0 against Gwinnett you’re crazy. Frankie (De Los Santos) had been lights out before tonight. But it was great to see an arm like Colome. It’s fun to see a guy who has been with us since rookie ball pitch like he did.”

Vogt: “(The triple) was your typical first-and-third, one out, trying to drive a run in. I told myself to hit the ball up the middle, and I was fortunate enough to get a pitch to handle. Colome pitched awesome tonight. I had seen him pitch before and knew he could do this. He’s young and he’s got electric stuff.”

Colome: “I felt really good. I’m excited I pitched so well tonight. I was a little nervous in the first inning, but after that I was fine. I was able to throw my fastball inside, and my cutter was working well too.”

What does it all mean?
That with three straight wins, the Bulls have some nice momentum.

Stars of the game
1. Vogt.
2. Colome.
3. Gimenez.

Play of the game
Vogt’s triple.

Streaks
Bulls: Won 3.
Gwinnett: Lost 2.

Season series
Bulls lead 13-10.

On deck
Bulls (Matt Torra 8-6, 4.33) vs. Gwinnett (Julio Teheran 6-5, 5.16), Saturday, 7:05 p.m.