Bulls Best Knights 6-2, Magic Number Down To One

Bulls second baseman Xavier Edwards and right fielder Ruben Cardenas each drove in two runs as part of a five-run sixth inning, while catcher Rene Pinto clubbed two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs of his own in Durham’s 6-2 victory over the Charlotte Knights on Monday evening at Truist Field. The victory along with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s twinbill split with Buffalo narrows Durham’s magic number to clinch the International League East Division down to one with two games to play.

After the Knights struck first with a single tally in the fourth, the Bulls bashed back with a five-spot in the sixth. Pinto evened the contest with an RBI single, before Edwards’ two-run double to left-center put Durham ahead, with Cardenas then increasing the advantage to four with a two-run single to left to cap the big inning. Pinto would later go deep with an opposite field solo shot in the seventh to make it a five-run margin before the Knights got a run back in the eighth.

Pinto (2-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB) reached base four times, including two knocks, to lead Bulls batters. Charlotte CF Oscar Colas (4-5, 2B) collected a game-high four knocks.

Durham southpaw Angel Perdomo (2.0 IP, H, BB, 4 SO) earned the victory in support of starter Kevin Herget (4.0 IP, 8 H, R, ER, BB, 3 SO). Knights lefty Anderson Severino (0.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB) suffered the defeat.

The Bulls continue their final series of the season in Charlotte on Tuesday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05pm. Starting pitchers for both teams have not yet been determined.

Durham begins their 2023 season at home on Friday, March 31 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park to start a three-game set versus Norfolk. Season ticket packages, including 919 Club Memberships and Mini Plans are now available, and can be purchased by contacting the Durham Bulls Ticket Department at 919-956-BULL.