Tides charge past Bulls in series opener
Norfolk used a six-run inning and big nights from Ryan Mountcastle and DJ Stewart in a 10-6 win over the Durham Bulls Monday night at Harbor Park.
Norfolk used a six-run inning and big nights from
Mountcastle and Stewart got the Tides on the board in the third inning, with the duo belting back-to-back homers leading off the frame. It was the first time the Tides have hit back-to-back round trippers this season, with Mountcastle's blast being his first home run at the Triple-A level.
The Tides trailed the contest 6-4 entering the sixth inning, but Norfolk sent 10 men to the plate and registered seven hits in the frame to take a 10-6 lead. All seven of Norfolk's hits in the inning were singles, including two-run knocks from Mountcastle and
Mountcastle, the #2 prospect in the Orioles system according to MLB.com, has now hit safely in four of his last six games, batting .308 (8-26) with seven runs batted in over that span.
Stewart, rated as the #16 prospect in the Baltimore system, has now belted three home runs through 11 games thus far. A first round pick out of Florida State in 2015, Stewart has posted a team-best .426 on-base percentage this season.
The 10 runs and 13 hits registered by the Tides set a season-high, and Norfolk has now won three of its last four games after opening the year with a 1-7 record.
The two clubs will continue their four-game series on Tuesday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 6:35.
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