Doubleheader Sweep Ends Strong Homestand for Tides
The Norfolk Tides played a doubleheader against the Memphis Redbirds, winning both games. Tides won game one, 5-1, after scoring three in the fifth to extend their lead. Game two was won with two home runs hit in the fourth, the score for that game was 3-1. The Tides won
The Norfolk Tides played a doubleheader against the Memphis Redbirds, winning both games. Tides won game one, 5-1, after scoring three in the fifth to extend their lead. Game two was won with two home runs hit in the fourth, the score for that game was 3-1.
The Tides won this series, 5-1, after being swept in the last series against Memphis. The Tides are now 5-7 overall against the Redbirds all year.
In game one, Norfolk hit three straight singles in the bottom of the first inning to bring in their first run. Tyler Nevin led off the inning, but was struck out by Redbirds starter Jake Woodford (5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K). Pat Valaika, Rylan Bannon, and Kelvin Gutierrez each hit a single to put the Tides up 1-0, after Gutierrez’s single brought in Valaika who scored from third.
In the fifth inning, the Tides loaded the bases on two walks and a fielding error. That was all that Tides needed to get ahead on the Redbirds when Rylan Bannon came up to bat and doubled to bring everyone home. Bannon has been deadly all series, having five home runs in three games, coming into this game. Bannon increased his hitting streak to four games, increasing his RBI total to nine in this series. He put the Tides up 4-0.
Stay hot, @RBannon4! With the bases loaded, Bannon rips a double to right-center to clear the bases, giving the Tides a, 4-0, lead after the 5th inning.
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) August 15, 2021
Bannon this week: 7-for-11, a double, 5 home runs, 9 RBI, and 5 walks in four games. And he's not done yet! pic.twitter.com/nyhB1Rb9Mo
An RBI single by Robert Neustrom in the sixth inning increased the Tides lead over the Redbirds. Runners got into scoring position off of another Redbirds fielding error, their second fielding error of the game resulting in the Tides getting on base. After a walk by Yusniel Diaz and a reach on an error by J.C. Escarra, Neustrom was able to score Diaz on a single to center field for the last score of the game.
The Redbirds prevented a shutout with a run scored in the seventh. Alec Burleson and Conner Capel walked and Ali Sanchez singled to load the bases. Evan Mendoza grounded out but allowed Burleson to score from third. That would be all as Norfolk won game one, 5-1. Starter Kyle Bradish struck out seven batters in 5.0 innings pitched. He allowed only two hits and walked only one on the night in the win.
To start game two, the Redbirds scored a run with a runner on third on a ground out. The Tides turned the double play, a 4-6-3 double play, to put two outs on the board. Redbird Kramer Robertson scored the run from third after getting on base with a double.
The Tides hit two home runs in the fourth and captured the lead from the Redbirds. Kelvin Gutierrez homered to bring in Tyler Nevin, who got on with a double lined to right field. Then, Zach Jarrett answered two batters later with his own home run. Jarrett has hit eight home runs this season. The Tides ended up winning, 3-1, over the Redbirds.
Norfolk is launching!!
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) August 15, 2021
Kelvin Gutierrez took the lead for the Tides with a two-run homer in the bottom of the 4th!
Two batters later, Zach Jarrett lasered one barely over the left field wall to give Norfolk the 3-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/WkZzGtaUCe
This doubleheader ends this series versus Memphis, as the Tides will travel down to Charlotte to face the Knights. They have a 8-9 record when against the Knights. The Tides next homestand will be from August 24- September 5. The first week will be against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and the second week will be against the Knights again.