Run-scoring hits from DJ Stewart and Renato Núñez helped Norfolk overcome a late deficit in a 4-3 win over the Charlotte Knights Saturday night at Harbor Park.
Run-scoring hits from DJ Stewart and Renato Núñez helped Norfolk overcome a late deficit in a 4-3 win over the Charlotte Knights Saturday night at Harbor Park.
The Tides led the contest 2-1 entering the eighth inning, but Charlotte rallied for a pair of unearned runs in the top of the eighth frame to claim a 3-2 lead. Patrick Leonard knotted the score with an RBI single off of Jhan Mariñez (2-3), and former Tide Alex Presley followed with a run-scoring single to give the Knights a one-run advantage.
Norfolk answered back in the bottom half of the eighth frame, plating two runs to reclaim the lead. Adrian Marin opened the inning with a single off of Thyago Vieira (0-2), and one out later Steve Wilkerson singled to put runners at first and second. Stewart then knotted the score at 3-3 with a run-scoring double to right field, and Núnez followed with a single to left that scored Wilkerson and gave the Tides a 4-3 lead.
Mariñez made the lead hold up, retiring the Knights in the ninth to wrap up Norfolk's 12th one-run victory of the season.
Núñez and Wilkerson both hit solo home runs in the contest, as Norfolk improved to 8-5 against Charlotte this season. Núñez opened the fourth inning with a homer to tie the game at 1-1, while Wilkerson's solo blast leading off the sixth gave the Tides a 2-1 advantage.
Making just his second start of the season, Matt Wotherspoon turned in a tremendous effort over five innings of work. He yielded a run on two hits and two walks in the first frame, but rebounded to retire the final 14 batters he faced - including five by strikeout - to set a new season-high. His five-inning effort was his longest since 9/7/15, when he registered six innings in a start for Class-A Charleston.
The Tides will wrap up their homestand on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1:05. John Means (2-1, 3.96) will get the start for Norfolk and be opposed by right-hander Jordan Stephens (3-2, 3.67). As part of Sunday's Father's Day celebration at Harbor Park, fans will be allowed to play catch on the field from 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM, with gates opening at 11:30 AM. The first 2,000 men ages 18 and over will receive a pair of Tides argyle socks, courtesy of the Virginia Birth Father Registry and News 3.
Notes: Prior to Saturday's contest, LHP D.J Snelten was activated to Norfolk's roster after being outrighted from Baltimore, while RHP Yefry Ramírez was added to the Tides roster after he was optioned down from the Orioles…The Tides did not strike out in the contest…Andrew Susac threw out Juan Perez attempting to steal second for the second out of the ninth inning…With a single Saturday, Adrian Marin has now hit .310 (13-42) over his last 13 games.
June 16 Video Highlights
