Tides Drop Game Four of Series Friday

NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk Tides (31-33) lost to the Syracuse Mets (24-39), 14-5, on Friday night at Harbor Park. The game started with a 39 minute delay due to severe thunderstorms. The Tides have lost five of their last seven. It’s the second time this series the Mets scored at least 15 runs, when they scored 18 on Tuesday night.

Luke Ritter started the game off with a solo home run for the Mets. Ritter became the first player since Drew Waters to lead off a game with a home run against the Tides since Drew Waters at Gwinnett, who did so on July 22, 2021.

Norfolk responded strong with three runs in the bottom-half. Gunnar Henderson hit an RBI double to tie the game up. DJ Stewart would knock the go-ahead runs in with a two-run double, making it 3-1, Norfolk.

Syracuse was able to tie the game up in the third when Mark Vientos hit a two-run double. But Norfolk responded with two-runs themselves in the third. Henderson knocked an RBI single and later scored on an automatic double by Rylan Bannon, giving the Tides a 5-3 lead.

The Mets then took the lead when they put up a four spot in the fourth. Cody Bohanek hit a two-run triple to tie the game up. Dominic Smith hit a two-run double himself, putting Syracuse up, 7-5.

The Tides continued to slip away, as the Mets would add seven more runs through the remainder of the game, giving Syracuse the 14-5, win. Tomorrow, game five of the series will feature RHP Cody Sedlock (0-0, 0.00) starting for the Tides, while RHP Trevor Cahill (0-0, 4.50) will make the start for Syracuse. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

POSTGAME NOTES

• TOP GUNNAR: Another strong game today for Gunnar Henderson, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a double and two RBI...he now holds an nine-game on-base streak, which is his entire Triple-A career, which he’s hitting .344 (11-for-32) with 13 runs, two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and 11 walks.
• WILD WILD WEST: Jordan Westburg continues his hot start in Norfolk, going 2-for-5 with two runs and a triple...he has an extra-base hit in five of eight games in his Triple-A career...in eight games since his arrival (June 7), he’s hitting .412 (14-for-34) with six runs, three doubles, two triples, three home runs, nine RBI and a walk.
• BAM BAM BANNON: In a 2-for-3 effort with a run, a double, an RBI and a walk, Rylan Bannon has a hit in all four games this series...he’s batting .357 (5-for-14) in the series, hitting a double, two home runs, seven RBI and three walks.