Bulls Bash Knights 9-6
August 31, 2022 - International League (IL)
Durham Bulls News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC - Bulls catcher Rene Pinto crushed a grand slam as shortstop Tristan Gray mashed his International League leading twenty-ninth longball and third baseman Jim Haley went yard as well in Durham's 9-6 victory over the Charlotte Knights on Wednesday evening at Truist Field. The win, along with Lehigh Valley's 4-1 loss in Norfolk, extends Durham's lead to one and a half games in the International League East Division.
After Charlotte struck first with a tally in the second, the Bulls countered with a five-run third frame. Haley homered with a solo shot to right to start the rally before Pinto mashed his grand slam to left to cap the big inning. Two innings later, Gray smashed a two-run blast to extend the advantage to 7-1, though the Knights narrowed the contest to 7-3 with a two-run sixth. Durham would extend the lead back to six with two runs in the seventh courtesy of LF Grant Witherspoon's RBI double and Haley's sacrifice fly before Charlotte plated single tallies in the seventh and eighth frames.
Gray (2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) was the lone Bulls batter to record a multi-hit effort in the victory. He has now launched 29 home runs this year and continues to lead the International League in that category, in addition to ranking tied for fourth in RBI (78). Durham CF Miles Mastrobuoni singled in the third to extend his hit streak to 14 games, one shy of infielder Jonathan Aranda's 2022 team-best 15-game streak.
Durham starter Luis Patino (5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) earned the victory to improve to 3-2, yielding three runs on four hits in five-plus innings of work, adding six strikeouts. Charlotte righty James Bilous (2.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) suffered the defeat.
The two teams are slated to continue their six-game series on Thursday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 12:05pm. RHP Yonny Chirinos is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls as part of his Major League Rehab Assignment and be opposed by LHP Kyle Kubat.
Following their road series in Charlotte, the Bulls return to Durham Bulls Athletic Park to begin a six-game homestand with the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders on Monday, September 5. First pitch that night is scheduled for 6:35pm.
Tickets for that game and all remaining 2022 home dates can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com/tickets.
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