Tides finish road trip with 7-5 setback
Trailing 7-2 in the 8th inning, the Tides plated three runs with two outs in the frame before Bulls reliever Joe Bateman struck out Melvin Dorta with runners on second and third to end the threat. Bateman then worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth inning to register his third save of the season and give the Bulls a 2.5 game lead over the Tides in the IL South division.
With the loss, Norfolk finished its nine-game road trip at 1-8.
Brandon Snyder had a two-run single to help pace Norfolk's offensive attack, while Michael Aubrey added a solo home run - his third since joining the Tides on June 26. All three of Aubrey's homers with Norfolk have come against Durham starter Wade Davis (9-6), who earned the win after allowing two runs in six innings of work.
Norfolk returns home Tuesday night for the start of an eight-game homestand, with the first four games against the Indianapolis Indians. Game time Tuesday night is scheduled for 7:15.