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Bulls Clinch Triple-A National Championship with 9-5 Win over Knights

September 19, 2021 - Triple-A East League (AAA East) - Durham Bulls News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Bulls designated hitter Rene Pinto smashed three hits and drove in four runs, while second baseman Esteban Quiroz and catcher David Freitas both homered as Durham clinched the regular season Triple-A National Championship title with a 9-5 win over the Charlotte Knights on Saturday evening at Truist Field.

The win guarantees the Bulls the best overall regular season record among all 30 Triple-A teams, marking the third time in the franchise's history they have earned the Triple-A National Championship. Durham's previous two league titles came in 2009 and 2017. The Bulls clinched the Triple-A East regular season title with a win on Thursday evening after clinching their 15th division crown in 23 seasons at the Triple-A level on Tuesday.

After the Knights jumped ahead with a three-run first frame, Pinto lined a two-run single in the third to narrow the deficit to one. Charlotte would plate a single tally in the fourth prior to Quiroz's go-ahead three-run homer to right in the sixth, pushing the Bulls ahead 5-4.Freitas would then leave the yard with a two-run shot one inning later before Pinto laced another two-run single in the eighth to make it 9-4. The Knights then made it a four-run contest with another single score in the last of the eighth.

Pinto (3-5, 4 RBI) and RF Josh Lowe (3-5, R) each posted a game-high three hits, with CF Garrett Whitley (2-4, 2 R, 2B, BB) adding a multi-hit effort of his own. Durham starting pitcher Brent Honeywell Jr. (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) earned the win, while Charlotte reliever Matt Foster (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, K) suffered the defeat.

The two teams are set to complete their regular seasons on Sunday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05pm. Durham's starter has not yet been announced, while RHP Alex McRae is anticipated to get the nod for the Knights.

The Bulls return to Durham for their final homestand of the 2021 campaign on Wednesday, September 22 to start a five-game set versus the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. First pitch of the series opener is set for 6:35pm. Tickets for that game, as well as all remaining Bulls home games are available and can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com.

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