Durham Bulls, Carolina Mudcats rebound with series wins before hitting the road again
After losing its series against the Memphis Redbirds earlier this month, the Durham Bulls (35-31) rebounded with a series win against the Louisville Bats (24-41). The Bulls’ potent offense produced four or more runs in each of their six games against the Bats, including a 10-run explosion powered by a seven home run effort in the third game of the series, 10-2, and Durham’s second of four wins over the Bats in the six-game series.
Following Sunday night’s series finale, Tristan Gary leads the Bulls in homers (14) and Jonathan Aranda in leading the team in RBIs (40) and batting average (.310).
The Durham Bulls currently sit at fifth in the International League’s East division. Buffalo, the Toronto Blue Jays’ AAA affiliate, leads the division, followed by Rochester (Washington) and Jacksonville (Miami).
The Bulls are in Jacksonville this week for a six-game series, which begins Tuesday night.
Mudcats remain in first
After losing a home series against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Carolina Mudcats rebounded with a series win on the road against the Columbia Fireflies to cling to first place in the Carolina League North.
The Mudcats stumbled in the series opener, losing 7-3. Luinder Avila pitched a solid game in the loss, throwing five innings, allowing two runs with five strikeouts. Colorado kicked off the scoring with a three-run second inning. The Mudcats punched back with a two-run third inning. Jackson Churio tripled on a fly ball that drove in a run to cut into the deficit. Jefferson Quero singled to drive Churio home, tying the game at 3-3.
An error-filled eighth for the Mudcats proved to be the deciding factor in series-opening defeat.
The Mudcats fell 2-1 in the second game of the sries. After the back-to-back losses, Carolina rallied to win four in a row, capping the series off with a 12-6 Father’s Day victory.
Jackson Chourio —ranked No. 3 in the Brewers farm system according to MLB.com — is batting .356, with a .404 OBP and 1.030 OPS this season.
The Mudcats begin their six-game series against the Down East Wood Ducks on Tuesday night in Kinston.
This story was originally published June 20, 2022 at 1:36 PM with the headline "Durham Bulls, Carolina Mudcats rebound with series wins before hitting the road again."