Tides Score Early, Rout Rochester
Kyle Hudson and Matt Angle continued their hot stretches at the top of the Tides order, collecting two hits a piece in the first two frames. Hudson led off the game for the home team with a double down the left field line and moved to third base on an infield single from Angle. Both runners came around to score on Ryan Adams's RBI single to second base after Mike Hollimon threw the ball away. Jake Fox plated Adams with a double of his own and then scored on Brendan Harris's two-out double.
The Tides onslaught continued in the 2nd inning. Carlos Rojas led off with a single up the middle and moved up a bag on a single from Hudson. Angle followed with a triple that gave the home team a 6-0 lead. Angle came around to score two batters later on Fox's sacrifice fly.
That was more than enough support for Brian Matusz, who picked up his first Tides win of the season. Matusz (1-3, 4.14) tossed 7.0 solid innings for the Tides, allowing just one run on a two-out double in the 3rd inning from Aaron Bates. The former first round draft pick was otherwise perfect on the night. He struck out six batters and allowed five hits while retiring the final 10 batters he faced.
Liam Hendriks (2-1, 6.23) wasn't as fortunate. The Red Wings starter lasted just 2+ innings after giving up seven runs through the first two frames. He was relieved in favor of Jake Stevens after walking Tyler Henson to leadoff the third inning. Henson eventually came around to score, which closed the books on Hendriks. He was charged with 8 runs on 8 hits.
The Tides added their final run in the 5th inning on a fielder's choice from Hudson that plated John Hester.
Former American League MVP Justin Morneau was 1-for-4 in his second game with Rochester.
Angle is now hitting .370 (40-108) over his last 25 games with the Tides. Hudson is hitting .373 (31-for-83) since being transferred to Norfolk on July 17.
Adams ran his season-best hitting streak to 12 games with a 2-for-4 performance. He is hitting .345 (19-for-55) during the stretch.
The Tides will go for their first four-game sweep of the 2011 season Sunday night at 6:15. RH Mitch Atkins (2-4, 4.19) will take the ball opposite RH Andy Baldwin (5-9, 5.81)
The first 4,000 fans to enter the ballpark Sunday will receive a Brian Matusz color photo compliments of Bank of the Commonwealth and ESPN Radio 94.1