The Gwinnett Braves defeated the Durham Bulls 3-0 Thursday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the final game of the eight-game, season-opening road trip.

The Braves (4-4) avoided the sweep as the Bulls (6-1) suffered their first loss of the season.

Durham now holds a 2.5 game lead over the Braves in the International League South.

With scheduled starting pitcher James Parr getting the late call-up to Atlanta, veteran Vladimir Nunez got the start.

He responded with three shutout innings before lefty Mariano Gomez relieved him in the fourth.

Gomez worked three scoreless as well and was credited with the win.

Boone Logan worked a scoreless seventh and eighth and Francisley Bueno picked up his first save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth.

For the Braves, third baseman Van Pope was 3-4 with an RBI and a double.

Gwinnett hosts Norfolk in the first of a three-game series at 7 tonight in the first game at the brand-new Gwinnett Stadium.
Braves RHP Charlie Morton (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP David Hernandez (0-0, 1.93 ERA) of Tides.