Late rally helps Tides top RailRiders

Norfolk rallied from an eighth inning deficit with four two-out runs in a wild 10-8 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Tuesday night at Harbor Park. 

Trailing 7-6, Norfolk rallied against Scranton reliever Cody Eppley (2-2) to snap a season-high five-game losing skid. Jason Pridie worked a leadoff walk to start the comeback bid, and moved to second on a wild pitch. After Eppley recorded two outs, Russ Canzler lined a run-scoring single to right and Pridie just beat the tag of catcher Bobby Wilson, knotting the score at 7-7. Canzler moved to second on the throw home, and pinch-runner Trayvon Robinson came in to score one batter later as L.J. Hoes lined a single down the right field line. Zelous Wheeler then followed with a two-run double to left-center to extend Norfolk's lead to 10-7.

Scranton almost mounted a rally of their own in the ninth off of Jairo Asencio, who had surrendered a lead in the eighth inning. The RailRiders plated a run and had runners at the corners with two out, but Asencio (2-0) struck out Melky Mesa to end the threat, helping the Tides wrap up the win and improve to 16-4 in their last 20 home games.

The Tides had led 6-4 entering the eighth inning before a two-out rally against the Norfolk bullpen gave Scranton a short-lived lead. Former Tide Josh Bell pulled the RailRiders within one run with a two-out solo home run off of Adam Russell, and Mesa followed with a single to right to chase Russell from the contest. Asencio came in and walked Addison Maruszak to put runners on first and second, and Wilson then lined a two-run double down the left field line to give the RailRiders a 7-6 lead.

The Tides wasted no time in jumping out to a quick lead off of Scranton starter Brett Marshall, as Norfolk took a 3-0 lead just eight pitches into the game. Pridie opened the contest with a four-pitch walk, and Brandon Wood then lined a single to center. Ryan Flaherty followed by launching a deep fly ball over the left-center field wall, giving the Tides the early advantage.

Norfolk starter Jair Jurrjens did not factor in the decision after allowing four runs on eight hits in six innings of work. Jurrjens walked one and struck out three, throwing 72 of his season-high 102 pitches for strikes.

Canzler finished with three hits in the contest, including a solo home run leading off the fifth inning. Norfolk had 14 hits in the win after accounting for just 28 hits over its five-game losing skid.

The two clubs will continue their four-game series Wednesday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch set for 6:35. Jake Arrieta (2-2, 3.05) will take the hill for Norfolk against right-hander Kelvin Perez (0-2, 6.17).

Notes: Jason Pridie finished 1-for-3 with two doubles and three runs scored to extend his hitting streak to eight games. It was the first action for Pridie since May 14, who was activated from the disabled list (strained groin) earlier Tuesday… Norfolk ranks second in the IL with 54 home runs hit this season…Brandon Wood had two hits and an RBI and is now hitting .308 with 15 RBI in 16 games since joining the Tides on May 11.