July Fourth Celebration Marked by Back-To-Back-To-Back Homers
Published on July 4, 2026 under International League (IL)
Durham Bulls News Release
Durham, NC --- Carson Williams, Jacob Melton and Blake Sabol went back-to-back-to-back in the fifth inning as the Durham Bulls defeated the Gwinnett Stripers 7-2 before a season-high 10,184 fans on Independence Day at the DBAP.
Leading 3-2, Williams started the early fireworks by drilling a 1-1 pitch under the Snortin' Bull in left field to push the lead to 5-2. Melton, who had already homered in the first, laced a home run to center on the next pitch, with Sabol yanking a home run to right-center on the very next pitch from Anderson Pilar. When the smoke cleared, the Bulls (9-2) assumed a 7-2 lead.
Ty Johnson (W, 4-1) worked five innings, struck out nine and only permitted a two-run homer to Brewer Hicklen in the third. Chris Roycroft, Alex Cook and Evan Reifert closed out Durham's third straight win in the series over Gwinnett (4-7).
Tatem Levins went 3-3 with a walk to pace Durham's 12-hit attack. Melton drove in three courtesy of his two homers.
The homestand finale is slated for Sunday at 5:05 PM ET with Mason Englert scheduled to start opposite Drue Hackenberg.
Notes: Johnson's nine strikeouts matched his season-high for the third time this season. Eight of his nine punchouts were on his slider... The Bulls homered on three consecutive pitches from Pilar in the fifth inning, with all of the damage in the four-run inning coming with two outs.... The official game-time temperature was 97 degrees with a heat index of 106.
International League Stories from July 4, 2026
- Knights Provide the Fireworks in Memphis, Beat Redbirds, 8-6 - Charlotte Knights
- Redbirds Drop Fourth of July Game in Front of Sellout Crowd - Memphis Redbirds
- July Fourth Celebration Marked by Back-To-Back-To-Back Homers - Durham Bulls
- ROC Roster Moves - Rochester Red Wings
- Storm Chasers Swept by Indians on July 4th - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Walk-off Win Sets Tone for Nashville Fourth of July Sweep of Jumbo Shrimp - Nashville Sounds
- Indians Win Big Twice on America's 250th - Indianapolis Indians
- Sounds Sweep Jumbo Shrimp in Independence Day Doubleheader - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Red Wings Cap off Independence Day Celebration with Walk-Off Fireworks - Rochester Red Wings
- All Smiles as Clippers Win on the 4th of July - Columbus Clippers
- Bisons Lose Rain-Shortened Game to Saint Paul - Buffalo Bisons
- Bats Can't Strike a Spark in 4-1 Loss to Columbus - Louisville Bats
- Stripers Allow Four Homers in 7-2 Loss at Durham - Gwinnett Stripers
- Andrew Painter Spins Six-Innings of One-Run Ball as 'Pigs Walked-Off by Red Wings - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Iowa Walked-off by Toledo - Iowa Cubs
- Hens Win Game Five in Walk-off Fashion on Fourth of July - Toledo Mud Hens
- For America: Major League Rehabbers Help Saints to 6-5 Rain-Shortened Win over Bisons - St. Paul Saints
- RailRiders and Norfolk Tides Game Postponed - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- July 4 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs at Toledo Mud Hens - Iowa Cubs
- Cosmic Baseball Delivers Historic In-Game 360-Degree Fireworks Show - Buffalo Bisons
- SWB Game Notes - July 4, 2026 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- WooSox Game Information - Worcester Red Sox
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - July 4 vs. Lehigh Valley - Rochester Red Wings
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.
