(Fort Mill, SC) - Zach Britton pitched eight effective innings, L.J. Hoes had three hits, and the Norfolk Tides beat the Charlotte Knights 10-6 on Saturday in the middle game of the three-game series from Knights Stadium.

Charlotte (49-42) got into a hole early after allowing nine runs in the first inning to Norfolk. Bill Hall and Nate McLouth each homered in the first for the Tides, who won for the second-straight day over Charlotte. The Tides (47-44) are now just two games back of the first place Knights in the International League South Division.

Britton (3-1, 4.87) allowed four runs on eight hits over eight innings to earn the win.

Charlotte starter Charlie Leesman (7-7, 2.61) allowed four runs (two earned) on three early hits in just 0.1 innings pitched.

J.R. Ballinger came on in relief of Leesman and allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits over 3.2 innings pitched. The Knights used five pitchers on the evening.

Former Clemson Tiger and newly acquired pitcher Daniel Moskos made his Charlotte debut in the fifth inning and struck out two Norfolk batters and only allowed one hit.

The Knights cut into the lead in the fifth inning when Justin Greene drove home Ray Olmedo with a base hit to centerfield and a Drew Garcia double to right-center plated Tyler Kuhn from first base. Charlotte trailed 9-3 after five innings.

In the sixth, Jeff Baisley hit his first homer of the season for the Knights to give them their fourth run of the night.

Jhan Carlos Marinez worked the final three innings for the Knights and did not allow a run and struck out six, including striking out the side in the ninth.

Olmedo went 2-3 with a walk for Charlotte, Kuhn was 2-5 with an RBI and run scored and Garcia was 2-5 with a double and two RBIs. The Knights scored their final two runs in the ninth inning.

The Knights have now dropped six of their last seven games. RHP Matt Zaleski (3-2, 4.16) is scheduled to start for Charlotte on Sunday in the first-half finale against the Tides' Steve Johnson (3-5, 2.73). Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 2:15 p.m.