Gunkel pitches Tides to series victory

Joe Gunkel spun seven sterling innings to help pitch Norfolk to a 1-0 win over the Columbus Clippers Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park.

Gunkel (6-9) was tremendous as he helped the Tides take the rubber match of the three-game set. He allowed just five hits over his outing, striking out three without walking a batter. The 24-year-old right-hander needed only 75 pitches to navigate seven innings, with 58 of those pitches (77%) going for strikes.

Gunkel combined with Pedro Beato and Jason Stoffel on the shutout, Norfolk's ninth of the season. The trio needed just 95 pitches in the contest, as no Tides pitcher went to a three-ball count on the afternoon.

The Tides plated the only run of the contest in the fifth frame when Austin Wynns scored Michael Almanzar with an RBI single. It was the second straight game with an RBI for Wynns, who joined the Tides on Tuesday after being promoted from Double-A Bowie.

Dariel Alvarez had two hits in the win to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest by a Tides player this season. Alvarez has hit .365 (19-52) with six doubles, one home run and nine RBI over that span. He also made a leaping catch against the right field wall to deny Joey Butler of an extra-base hit in the fifth inning.

With the win, Norfolk improved to 6-4 over its last 10 games.

Norfolk opens up a quick three-game road series in Indianapolis Friday night, with first pitch from Victory Field set for 7:15. Ariel Miranda (4-7, 4.13) gets the start for the Tides and will be opposed by right-hander Wilfredo Boscan (6-7, 4.00).

Notes: The head index at first pitch was 111 degrees…The Tides went 4-3 over the seven-game homestand despite not hitting a home run…One night after the two teams combined for 12 walks, Norfolk and Columbus did not issue a walk in Thursday's contest…Corban Joseph had two hits and is now batting .311 through 18 games in July.