Garcia, Tides Shut Out Knights 9-0 Sunday

(Norfolk, VA) - Freddy Garcia allowed four hits over 6.2 shutout innings, his offense backed him up by hitting five home runs, and the Norfolk Tides beat the Charlotte Knights 9-0 on Sunday in the finale of their two-game series from Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA. 

Garcia (7-3, 3.07) won his third game of the year against the Knights - a team he made one start for in 2009. On Sunday, the two-time American League All-Star walked two Charlotte batters and struck-out six for his seventh win of the year with Norfolk. It was his first win since July 23 against Pawtucket.

The Norfolk offense belted out five home runs on the day - the most against the Knights by an opponent this season. Three of the five home runs came off Charlotte starter Jason Berken (9-11, 4.15), who was saddled with the game two loss. 

Berken, who pitched for the Tides in parts of three seasons (2009, 2011-12) allowed six runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. Yamaico Navarro hit the first Norfolk home run - a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning. Xavier Avery added a solo home run in the second inning, while Zelous Wheeler launched a home run in the fourth against Berken.

Charlotte reliever Simon Castro allowed two home runs during a three-run seventh inning. Eric Thames and Jason Pridie both homered in the inning.

Andy Wilkins had two of Charlotte's four hits on the day. Wilkins has five hits over his last two games and has been one of the team's hottest hitters. Travis Ishikawa and Brent Morel had a hit apiece. 

The Knights will now return home to Knights Stadium to open an enjoyable four-game series beginning on Monday against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A Affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies). All Monday games this season feature $1 hot dogs presented by Hebrew National. RHP Nick McCully (1-1, 9.00) gets the start for Charlotte, while LHP Greg Smith (6-1, 1.94) will toe the rubber for Lehigh Valley. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. with first pitch set for 7:15 p.m.