The Durham Bulls have clinched their fourth straight division championship.
- Photo courtesy Durham Bulls
- Bulls infielder Chris Richard
Rocco Baldelli homered and doubled for both RBI, leading the defending Triple-A National Champion Bulls to a 3-1 road win over the Norfolk Tides on Friday night and yet another title in the International League’s South Division.
Meanwhile the Carolina Mudcats fought back against the Mobile BayBears, taking a 6-4 victory on a fireworks night at Five County Stadium.
Durham’s next five games are also at Norfolk, with the final two of the odd seven-game series at home on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
The Mudcats’ next five games are at home.
Bulls 3, Norfolk 1
Chris Richard added a double and a single for the Bulls as Jake McGee (1-0) picked up the victory in relief of Ramon Ortiz.
Joe Bateman collected his third save of the season.
Zach Britton (2-3) took the loss for the Tides, who got a pair of hits from Paco Figueroa.
Mudcats 6, Mobile 4
Matt Klinker went six strong innings to improve to 7-6 as the Mudcats got just their second win in eight tries against the BayBears this season.
Ryan Cook (0-1) took the loss for Mobile.
Federico Baez picked up his fifth save.
Jake Kahaulelio’s three-run homer in the fourth was the big hit for the Mudcats. Brandon Yarbrough added a pair of hits with an RBI.
Sean Coughlin and Collin Cowgill homered for Mobile.
Saturday’s games
Mobile at Mudcats, 6:15 p.m.
Joshua Collmenter (R, 6-2, 1.59) vs. Scott Carroll (R, 3-8, 3.75)
Bulls at Norfolk, 7:15 p.m.
Brian Baker (R, 7-4, 3.61) vs. Chris Tillman (R, 10-7, 3.51)
