Stripers Force Extras in Norfolk, Fall on Mayo’s Walk-Off

Two-run double by J.P. Martinez helps ignite late comeback, but Gwinnett loses 5-4 in 10 innings

By Dave Lezotte (@davelezotte)

April 27, 2024

NORFOLK, Va. – Back-to-back doubles by J.P. Martinez and Luis Liberato tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth inning, but Coby Mayo’s two-out walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th gave the Norfolk Tides (11-15) a 5-4 win over the Gwinnett Stripers (12-13) on Saturday night at Harbor

NORFOLK, Va. – Back-to-back doubles by J.P. Martinez and Luis Liberato tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth inning, but Coby Mayo’s two-out walk-off single in the bottom of the 10^th gave the Norfolk Tides (11-15) a 5-4 win over the Gwinnett Stripers (12-13) on Saturday night at Harbor Park.

Decisive Plays: Luke Waddell drew a bases-loaded walk that also chased Norfolk starter Chayce McDermott in the first inning, giving the Stripers a 1-0 lead. That held until the fifth, when Daniel Johnson’s two-run home run off Darius Vines put Norfolk up 2-1. Johnson’s RBI double and an RBI single by Michael Perez made it 4-1 Tides in the seventh. In the eighth, Martinez lifted a two-run double to right-center and scored on Liberato’s double to left-center to knot it up at 4-4. After failing to score in the top of the 10^th, the Stripers gave up the winning run in the bottom half as Mayo lined a single to left off Grant Holmes (L, 1-1)

Key Contributors: Five of Gwinnett’s six hits were doubles, with one each from Forrest Wall (1-for-4), Andrew Velazquez (1-for-4), Alejo Lopez (2-for-4), Martinez (1-for-2, 2 RBIs), and Liberato (1-for-3, RBI). Vines allowed four runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings and struck out seven in a no-decision. For Norfolk, Johnson finished a triple shy of the cycle (3-for-4, double, homer, 3 RBIs) and Mayo went 2-for-4 with the game-winning RBI.

Noteworthy: Wall’s double extended his on-base streak with Gwinnett to 21 games, a span that dates back to July 7, 2023. The loss was Gwinnett’s first in walk-off fashion this year. Manager Kanekoa Texeira and third baseman Phillip Evans were both ejected by home plate umpire Chris Marco in the seventh inning.

Next Game (**Sunday, April 28**): Gwinnett at Norfolk, 1:05 p.m. ET at Harbor Park. Broadcast: 12:50 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com. RHP Allan Winans (1-1, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Stripers, the Tides’ starter is TBD.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, April 30): Gwinnett vs. Durham, 11:05 a.m. ET at Coolray Field. Broadcast: 10:50 a.m. ET on MyCountry993.com and Bally Live. Area schools will be in attendance for the matinee game on the second Education Day of the season.