Tides Pound Bulls In Series Finale, 11-1

Norfolk, VA --- The Norfolk Tides jumped on rehabbing Tampa Bay starter Drew Smyly for four early runs, the put the game away with six in the fourth to pound the Durham Bulls 11-1 in the series finale on Sunday night at Harbor Park.

Smyly (L, 0-1), making his first appearance since May 5th against Boston, tested the tear in his left labrum against the first place Tides (59-42). He threw 51 pitches over 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and four runs, two in the first inning on an opposite-field home run by Christian Walker.

After Jose Dominguez relieved Smyly to complete the third inning, the Tides blew the game open with six runs in the fourth against Scott Diamond. Norfolk sent 11 to the plate and drilled eight hits in that frame alone.

Dariel Alvarez connected in the sixth against Diamond for his 14th home run to make it 11-1.

Mikie Mahtook finished 2-3 with a double and a triple to pace the Bulls offense.

The Bulls (51-51) were pushed 8 1/2 games behind the Tides in the South, and fell to 2-6 on their current 11-game road trip. 

The road swing moves to Lawrenceville, GA on Monday night with the first of three against the Gwinnett Braves at 6:35 PM ET.