Bulls Bash Knights 13-5
July 26, 2023 - International League (IL)
Durham Bulls News Release
DURHAM - Bulls catcher Blake Hunt and second baseman Osleivis Basabe combined to record five hits and drive in seven runs while starting pitcher Evan McKendry fired six quality innings to earn his eighth victory as Durham routed the Charlotte Knights 13-5 on Wednesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Bulls started the scoring with a four-spot in the second highlighted by Basabe's bases-clearing double to right. Two frames later, LF Niko Hulsizer crushed a solo shot, his 13th homer of the year, to extend the advantage to five before Durham broke the game open with a seven-run fifth.
Hunt started the run eruption with an RBI double off the left-center field wall, with SS Tristan Gray adding a run-scoring two-bagger of his own prior to 1B Jonathan Aranda's two-run double to right made it 9-0. After an RBI groundout extended the advantage to double digits, Hunt put the closing touch on the big inning with a two-run single to center for a 12-0 margin. Charlotte would end Durham's shutout hopes with a pair of tallies in the sixth before scoring three more scores in the eighth.
Hunt (3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB) recorded a game-high three knocks, with Basabe (2-5, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 1 BB) and RF Diego Infante (2-4, 2 R, 1 BB) adding multi-hit efforts as well. Aranda's two-run double in the fifth gives him at least one hit in each of his last ten games with the Bulls.
McKendry (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO) earned his team-leading eighth victory with his six quality frames of work, fanning five. Charlotte starter Garrett Davila (3.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss.
The two teams are scheduled to face off again on Thursday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm. Tampa Bay Rays LHP Josh Fleming is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls as part of his Major League Rehab Assignment while LHP Sammy Peralta is expected to toe the rubber for the Knights. Tickets for that game and all 2023 Durham Bulls home games are available, and can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com, or by calling 919.956.BULL. #DURHAMBULLS
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