Bulls Pull Out Their Third Series Win Against Charlotte

DURHAM NC – The Durham Bulls (10-6) bounced back and clinched the win in game four versus the Charlotte Knights (7-9) on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. They struggled to string hits together but found a way on base towards the game’s later stages to defeat the Knights 3-2. It was a much-needed home victory for the Bulls securing their third win of the six-game series. 

Both teams wasted no time, each starting the game off with a home run. Charlotte’s third baseman Jake Burger homered over the right-centerfield fence with two outs. Later that inning, Bulls left fielder Dalton Kelly connected on a lead-off, first-pitch homer to left field to tie it up at 1-1. In the top of the fifth, another home run was sent over right field by Charlotte’s right fielder Mikie Mahtook to put them up 2-1. 

Left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns received his second start on the mound this season for the Bulls. Despite giving up two solo home runs, Enns allowed just two runs on two hits, no walks while striking out nine in six innings of work.

In the bottom of the eighth, Kelly singled on a fly ball to left field, allowing one runner on the base for the Bulls. Center fielder Josh Lowe followed that up with a two-out, two-run bomb over the left-centerfield fence to secure the 3-2 victory.

Durham’s relief pitchers included Phoenix Sanders (1.0 IP, K), Chris Mazza (1.0 IP, 2K), and Brian Moran (1.0 IP, 3K), with Mazza earning the win. The Charlotte bullpen shutdown the Bulls’ hitters for most of the game, only giving up one run with three hits until the 8th inning. Charlotte reliever Nik Turley (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, K) suffered the defeat. 

The Durham Bulls will look to keep their momentum heading into game five of a six-game series on Saturday against the Charlotte Knights at 6:35 pm.