Bulls Clinch Triple-A National Championship with 9-5 Win over Knights
September 19, 2021 - International League (IL)
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.
International League Stories from September 19, 2021
- Bulls Down Knights 9-4 - Durham Bulls
- Knights Drop Sunday's Finale to Bulls 9-4 - Charlotte Knights
- Bats Outlast Birds in Series Finale - Louisville Bats
- Redbirds Wrap up Homestand with Loss to Louisville - Memphis Redbirds
- Chasers Record 13 Hits to Take Series Finale - Iowa Cubs
- Jones Hammers Two Homers in Regular Season Finale Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Five-Run Fifth Inning Propels Jacksonville to Series Win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Greene Goes Yard in Finale Loss - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Defeat Rochester, 5-1, Gear up for 'Final Stretch' - Buffalo Bisons
- Indians Rake 13 Singles in 10-3 Triumph - Indianapolis Indians
- Syracuse Offense Leads Way in 9-4 Win over Worcester on Sunday Afternoon - Syracuse Mets
- RailRiders Close Regular Season with a Win - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Wings Drop Regular Season Finale, 5-1, Sunday - Rochester Red Wings
- Tides Lose Game, Series vs. Jacksonville Sunday - Norfolk Tides
- Regular Season Finale goes to RailRiders - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Two out Trouble: Saints Fall to Indianapolis 10-3 - St. Paul Saints
- WooSox Fall in Regular Season Finale, Enter Final Stretch at 66-52 - Worcester Red Sox
- Gwinnett Powers Their Way over Nashville - Nashville Sounds
- September 19 Game Notes: Iowa at Omaha - Iowa Cubs
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - September 19, 2021 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Andújar Begins MLB Rehab Assignment with RailRiders - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Memphis Redbirds Game Notes: September 19, 2021 - Memphis Redbirds
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (56-62) vs. St. Paul Saints (61-58) - Indianapolis Indians
- Former Jumbo Shrimp Fortes Homers in Big League Debut - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Pair of Grand Slams Lead Chasers to Saturday Night Win over I-Cubs - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Omaha Blows out Iowa to Snap Streak - Iowa Cubs
- Knights Fall to Bulls 9-5 on Saturday Night - Charlotte Knights
- Bulls Clinch Triple-A National Championship with 9-5 Win over Knights - Durham Bulls
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
