Mitch Talbot (shown here) and Grant Balfour combined on a four-hitter, as Durham snapped a four-game skid with a 1-0 win over Pawtucket (17-15) at McCoy Stadium.

Talbot (3-3), who had pitched eight shutout innings his previous start in a 2-0 win over Richmond, never allowed a runner past second base in his seven-inning stint. He gave up two singles in the first, then retired 14 in a row. After allowing two singles in the sixth, he retired his final four hitters. Talbot threw 95 pitches and struck out a season-high eight, extending his streak to 19 shutout innings.

Balfour took over and retired all six hitters he faced, striking out five for his third save. The 13 combined strikeouts were a season high for Durham (13-17).

The Bulls got their only run two batters into the game when Fernando Perez doubled to left against knuckleballer Charlie Zink (3-2), stole third, and came home on Elliott Johnson's double to left center. The Bulls were held to just two hits thereafter, as Zink matched Tablot.

Perez had two of Durham's four hits, and Justin Ruggiano was 1-for-1 with a walk, two hit by pitch, and three stolen bases.

Durham will send RHP Ben Hendrickson to the mound on Tuesday against RHP Devern Hansack at 6:15. Coverage on Rejoice 1410 AM WRJD begins at 5:55, and also can be heard on www.durhambulls.com, www.milb.com, and www.1410wrjd.com.