Knights Topple Bulls 5-2

Bulls designated hitter Ryan Boldt bashed two hits, including a home run, however Knights center fielder Mark Payton went deep and left fielder Eloy Jimenez recorded two knocks, including an RBI single as part of a four-run seventh inning in Charlotte’s 5-2 win over Durham on Saturday evening at Truist Field.

Boldt’s blast, his second in as many nights, put the Bulls ahead 1-0 before Durham took advantage of a balk in the fifth to increase their lead to two. Payton’s solo shot in the last of the fifth made it a one-run game before the Knights surged ahead with their four-run seventh, including Jimenez’s game-tying RBI single.

Boldt (2-3, R, HR, RBI, BB) was the lone Bulls batter to record two or more knocks, while Payton (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB) and Jimenez (2-4, R, RBI) each tallied multi-hit efforts for the home side. Bulls 3B Xavier Edwards went hitless in four at-bats, snapping his eight-game hit streak.

Charlotte reliever Dan Winkler (1.0 IP, 2 SO) earned the victory, while Bennett Sousa (1.0 IP, 3 SO) notched his first save. Durham southpaw Zack Erwin (1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, SO), meanwhile, suffered the defeat.

The two teams are scheduled to complete their six-game series on Sunday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05pm. The Bulls’ starting pitcher has not yet been determined, while LHP John Parke is slated to start for the knights.

Durham returns home on Monday, July 4 to start a six-game series against the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch of that contest is set for 6:35pm.

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