Redbirds Topple Bulls 9-2

Bulls first baseman Jonathan Aranda and third baseman Xavier Edwards each clubbed two hits and drove in a run, while Redbirds shortstop Paul DeJong crushed two homers and drove in five runs in Memphis’ 9-2 win over Durham on Saturday evening at AutoZone Park.

After the Redbirds struck first, Aranda smashed a game-tying RBI single in the third. Memphis, however, would counter with another tally in the last of the third to go ahead 2-1. Following another Redbirds tally in the fourth, DeJong would go deep in the fifth to increase the advantage to 5-1. Edwards would narrow the deficit the three with an RBI double in the sixth before Memphis added an four insurance runs in the eighth, including DeJong’s second longball.

Aranda (2-4, RBI) and Edwards (2-4, 2B, RBI) led Bulls batters with two hits each. DeJong (2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI) and 3B Cory Spangenberg (2-3, BB), meanwhile, each posted multi-hit efforts for Memphis.

Redbirds reliever Thomas Parsons (2.0 IP, H, R, ER, BB, 2 K) earned the victory in support of starter Jake Woodford (4.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 4 K). Durham righty Seth Blair (0.2 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB) suffered the defeat.

The two teams are set to finish their six-game series on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 3:05pm ET. LHP Ryan Yarbrough is expected to get the nod for the Bulls, while LHP Connor Thomas is anticipated to get the nod for the Redbirds.

The Bulls return to Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, June 14 to start a six-game home series versus the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. First pitch of that series’ opener is set for 6:35pm.

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