IL Durham Bulls

Cardenas, Durham Smash Nashville 9-6

August 2, 2023 - International League (IL)
Durham Bulls News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Bulls right fielder Ruben Cardenas crushed two home runs, while catcher Alex Jackson homered in his first at-bat since being acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays and designated hitter Austin Shenton also went yard in Durham's 6-5 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Wednesday evening at First Horizon Park.

Jackson smashed his solo shot in his first at-bat with the Bulls after being acquired in a trade by Tampa Bay from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Sounds would counter with a two-run bottom of the second, however Shenton would even the contest with a solo blast in the fourth before two more runs came across in the fifth to make it a 4-2 Durham advantage.

Cardenas in the following frame clubbed his first big fly of the night, a two-run shot to increase the lead to four, though Nashville narrowed their deficit to one with a three-run sixth. Two innings later, Cardenas left the yard with another two-run homer, pushing the Bulls' lead up to three, while Durham plated an insurance tally in the ninth. The Sounds would bring across an run in the last of the ninth, however proved unsuccessful in their comeback attempt.

Wednesday night marked the fifth time Cardenas (2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI) in his career has smashed two homers in a game, with his last coming earlier this season on April 1 versus Norfolk. Jackson (2-4, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) also collected two hits in his Bulls debut, along with CF Kameron Misner (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B).

Durham starter Anthony Molina (5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) earned his first Triple-A victory, with Tampa Bay Rays righty Andrew Kittredge (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) firing 1.1 scoreless frames as part of his Major League Rehab Assignment. Nashville starting pitcher Caleb Boushley (5.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss.

The two teams are set to continue their six-game series on Thursday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 7:35pm ET. RHP Cooper Criswell is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls, with the Sounds expected to send RHP Evan McKendry to the hill in his first outing after being involved in yesterday's trade that sent Jackson to the Bulls.

Durham returns home to start a 12-game homestand beginning with a six-game series versus the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch of that series is set for 6:35pm.

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.

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