IL Durham Bulls

Misner's Three Homers Lead Durham to 11-3 Rout Over Charlotte

Published on September 9, 2023 under International League (IL)
Durham Bulls News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Bulls right fielder Kameron Misner smashed three home runs, driving in four runs while totaling four hits, as catcher Francisco Mejia and designated hitter Ruben Cardenas each collected two knocks as Durham routed the Charlotte Knights 11-3 on Saturday evening at Truist Field.

The win combined with Lehigh Valley's loss in Buffalo gives Durham sole possession of first place in the International League Second Half standings one game ahead of the IronPigs with 13 games remaining. The winner of the second half faces the Norfolk Tides in a three-game series in Norfolk to determine the 2023 International League Champion.

Cardenas started the scoring in the opening frame with an RBI triple to the center field wall before coming across on a sacrifice fly. After the Knights tallied a run in the last of the first, Misner went deep for the first of his three longballs with a two-run shot in the second to push Durham's advantage to 4-1. That margin would be extended with two more runs in the fourth before Misner homered for the second time with a three-run blast in the fifth to make it a 9-1 Bulls lead.

After Charlotte plated two scores in the last of the fifth, 2B Ronny Simon's RBI single in the sixth push Durham's total to double digits for a 10-3 advantage. Misner would then put the exclamation mark on the night with his third big fly of the evening, a solo shot in the ninth.

Misner set a new single-game career-high with his three roundtrippers after previous recording a multi-homer game just once over his prior 379 minor league contests, which came on July 31, 2021 while with High-A Beloit. The 22-year-old has now totaled 19 home runs this year, which is a new single-season career-high.

Mejia (2-6, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Cardenas (2-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 BB) each added two-hit games of their own. SS Tristan Gray also reached base four times, drawing three bases on balls.

Durham starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) earned his fourth victory of the year, with relievers Michael Mercado (2.2 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO) and Manuel Rodriguez (1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) joining forces for the final 3.2 scoreless frames. Charlotte starter Chase Solesky (5.0 IP, 7 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 7 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss.

The two teams are set to conclude their six-game set on Sunday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05pm. LHP Josh Fleming is anticipated to get the nod for the Bulls and is slated to be opposed by Knights RHP Brent Honeywell Jr.

Durham returns home for their final six games of the 2023 campaign on Tuesday, September 12 to start a six-game homestand versus the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. First pitch of the series opener is set for 6:35pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Tickets for that game and all remaining 2023 Durham Bulls home games are available, and can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com, or by calling 919.956.BULL.

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International League Stories from September 9, 2023


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