Bulls clinch fourth straight division crown, Mudcats get a win against Mobile

The Durham Bulls have clinched their fourth straight division championship.

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)