Bulls get hot at the plate, stretch home winning streak to five games

The Durham Bulls (21-22) returned to the Durham Bulls Athletics Park to open a 12-game homestand and a six-game set against the Charlotte Knights (16-27) with a 9-2 victory, their eighth win in their last ten contests.

Charlotte got on the board first off of an RBI single from C Carlos Perez in the first. 2B Xavier Edwards tied the game for Durham as he stole home in his team debut in the second as part of a double steal. CF Cal Stevenson would continue the second inning momentum, as he went yard on a two-run shot to give Durham a 3-1 advantage.

1B Luke Raley would extend the Bulls scoring run to 4-0 with an RBI single in the third. RF Josh Lowe continued the flood for Durham with an RBI single of his own for the 5-1 lead in the fourth before DH Rene Pinto added an RBI single of his own to stretch the lead to five.

Durham would continue clicking on all cylinders, as the team put together their second three-run inning in the fifth. SS Tristan Gray got the inning started with an RBI double, 3B Jonathan Aranda followed with a sacrifice fly, and Lowe added his second RBI single of the night, pushing the Bulls lead to 9-1.

Durham pitcher Josh Fleming got the start on the mound, throwing 5.2 innings, allowing one run on eight hits with three strikeouts to earn the win. Charlotte pitcher Brody Koerner picked up the loss.

The Bulls return to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Wednesday for game two of the six-game set against Charlotte. RHP Shane Baz (0-0, 3.86) is scheduled to start for Durham as part of a Major League Rehab Assignment and be opposed by Charlotte RHP Jimmy Lambert (0-1, 8.31).

Tickets for that game and all remaining 2022 home dates can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com/tickets.