PAWSOX 4, DURHAM, 3

The highlights: Durham got a run with two out in the second as Rhyne Hughes tripled to left and scored on Ray Olmedo's single. In the PawSox' third, Jeff Bailey hit a one-out double to left and scored on Jeff Natale's two-out double to left. In the Durham half Justin Ruggiano hit a two-out single to left, followed by Jon Weber's blast into the right-field seats. But the big inning was Pawtucket's fifth. Julio DePaula replaced Durham starter Carlos Hernandez with the bases loaded, and Carlos Maldonado greeted him with a two-run double to left before Travis Denker's RBI single to left made it 4-3.

Key to the game: For the second straight night, it was the PawSox' bullpen and the team's overall resilience. Enrique Gonzalez (6-6) had a solid start, striking out eight against a pair of walks while allowing three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. The PawSox allowed just one hit and faced two more than the minimum over the final six innings. Javier Lopez had a one-inning hold, while Hunter Jones went a solid 2 2/3 for his first save.

Prospect watch: Denker was 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. PawSox cleanup hitter Aaron Bates, who attended nearby N.C. State, went 0-for-4 with a walk. Bulls shortstop Reid Brignac went 0-for-4.

Next up: Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie, who has been rehabbing his left wrist, was at the park and is scheduled to play for Pawtucket on Sunday and Monday. Southpaw Kris Johnson (2-6, 6.56) will pitch for the PawSox in Sunday's 5 p.m. game against fellow lefty James Houser (3-3, 5.54). Pawtucket ace Clay Buchholz (4-0, 1.75) will face rehabilitating Scott Kazmir on Monday.

THEY SAID IT:

-- "I was really pleased with Enrique Gonzalez," PawSox manager Ron Johnson said. "He had had a couple of outings where he had a hard time getting through the fifth inning. The bullpen has been the heart and soul of this team. And it was good to see the way we battled back for the second straight game." Said Denker of his night at the plate, "That was all right. We have confidence in this team. We have great pitching, and that helps out. The bullpen has been there all year."