The Gwinnett Braves got off to a good start in an important series with Durham, defeating the Bulls 6-3 Monday night at Gwinnett Stadium in Lawrenceville. Durham (65-51) and the G-Braves (65-51) are now tied for first place in the International League South.

Gwinnett reliever Mariano Gomez earned his club-best eighth win of the season by holding the Bulls to one earned run on three hits in 1À innings. G-Braves starter Todd Redmond was solid through 5À, allowing only one earned run on five hits in the no-decision start.

Omar Infante, in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Gwinnett since going to the disabled list with a fractured left hand on May 21, hit a two-run homer that put the G-Braves up 2-1 in the sixth inning.

The G-Braves added to their lead in the seventh and eighth innings, rendering meaningless two late Durham runs in the eighth and ninth.

Gregor Blanco was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and Brandon Jones was 2-for-4 with two runs to lead the Gwinnett offense. Wes Timmons extended his league-best on-base streak to 42 games with a walk in the seventh inning. He was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly on the night.

For Durham, Reid Brignac was 4-for-5 with a run. Elliot Johnson was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Jeremy Hellickson picked up the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

The G-Braves and Bulls face off again today in the second of a four-game series at Gwinnett Stadium. Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes (2-1, 3.03 ERA) gets the start for Gwinnett. Durham has yet to determine their starting pitcher. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.