From staff reports

FORT MILL, S.C. -- Jeremy Hellickson gave Durham seven shutout innings on Friday night, as the Bulls reduced their magic number to two to clinch the South Division title, downing Charlotte 4-1.

Hellickson (6-1) allowed a two-out double in the first inning to Stefan Gartrell, but then he retired 16 straight. He allowed two singles in the seventh but got Justin Knoedler to fly to right to end the threat. Hellickson, who walked none and struck out nine, has pitched 15 scoreless innings in his last two starts.

Durham , which swept a three-game series from Charlotte, got all it would need in the fourth against Wes Whisler (10-12).

Joe Dillon walked, and moved to third on Chris Richard's second hit of the night. Dillon came home on a fielder's choice groundout by Sean Rodriguez. Justin Ruggiano and Ray Olmedo followed with run-scoring hits for a 3-0 advantage. Durham added a run on an RBI Rodriguez double in the next inning for a 4-0 lead.