Bats fly past Tides in series opener

Norfolk got a terrific start from right-hander Tyler Herb, but the Tides offense was blanked in a 4-0 setback to the Louisville Bats Friday night at Harbor Park. 

Herb (3-3) turned in his best start in a Norfolk uniform, allowing an unearned run on five hits while matching his season-high with seven innings of work. He walked two and struck out four, and the only run he allowed came on a throwing error he made on a bunt single back to the mound by Blake Trahan in the second frame. Herb retired 10 straight from the fourth through seventh innings, and he needed just 76 pitches to navigate his outing. 
Herb, who was acquired by the Orioles in a trade from the San Francisco Giants late in spring training, now owns a 4.15 ERA through seven games (six starts) with the Tides this season. 
Bats starter Keury Mella (4-4) was equally impressive, as he limited the Tides to just four hits and a walk over seven sterling innings. He struck out seven and threw 61 of his 91 pitches for strikes before giving way to Jesús Reyes, who completed the shutout with two perfect innings of relief. 
Anderson Feliz was the only Norfolk player with multiple hits in the contest, while Joey Rickard added a double. 
Chandler Shepherd struggled in his Norfolk debut, allowing three runs on five hits over two-thirds of an inning. Shepherd, who was claimed off of waivers by Baltimore from the Chicago Cubs on May 18th, was making his first appearance since a 2.1-inning outing on May 15th for Pawtucket. 
The Tides and Bats will continue their three-game set on Saturday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 7:05. Keegan Akin (3-2, 3.70) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (2-4, 8.43). Saturday will also feature a postgame fireworks show, presented by Navy Mutual.  
Notes: The Tides played as the Pajaritos de Norfolk and the Bats played as the Murcielagos de Louisville as part of a Copa de la Diversion night at Harbor Park…Anthony Santander had his nine-game hitting streak snapped as he went 0-for-3 with a walk…Norfolk has lost four straight and 11 of its last 14…Despite the shutout, the Tides batted a league-best .299 during the month of May.