The Durham Bulls finally got their Triple-A victory record.
- Photo courtesy Durham Bulls
- Bulls infielder Chris Richard
Chris Richard’s three-run homer in the seventh broke a tie and completed the scoring Sunday afternoon, as the Bulls snapped a four-game losing streak to beat the homestanding Charlotte Knights 8-5 for their 84th win of the season.
But it wasn’t as good a day for the Carolina Mudcats, who dropped a 6-2 road decision to the Mississippi Braves.
The Bulls’ two-city, five-game set with the Knights continues on Monday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Mudcats have one more game at Mississippi, then move on to Birmingham for three before closing their season with a four-game set against the Tennessee Smokies beginning on Friday night.
Bulls 8, Charlotte 5
Richard’s homer was his 16th of the season on a four-hit, four-RBI day that included a double.
Catcher Nevin Ashley added a two-run homer for Durham in his Triple-A debut, while Justin Ruggiano added two hits with two RBI.
Mike Ekstrom (6-1) was the winning pitcher while Winston Abreu picked up his 22nd save of the season. Greg Aquino (1-6) took the loss.
Alejandro DeAza homered and singled with two RBI for Charlotte, while Brent Morel added a solo homer.
Tyler Pastornicky homered and singled while Christian Colonel added a two-run shot for the M-Braves.
Randall Delgado (2-5) was the winning pitcher for Mississippi while Richard Sullivan got his first save.
Jordan Hotchkiss (0-1) was the loser. Kris Negron and Mike Costanzo got the Mudcats’ only two hits.
Monday’s games
Charlotte at Bulls, 7:05 p.m.
TBA vs. Ramon Ortiz (R, 2-4, 4.07)
Mudcats at Mississippi, 8:05 p.m.
Travis Webb (L, 6-8, 4.93) vs. Julio Teheran (R, 2-2, 3.3
