McKenna, Nevin and Leyba homer, Tides rally to beat Bulls Thursday
Ryan McKenna hit his second home run in as many days, Tyler Nevin blasted a go-ahead two-run homer and the Tides roared back from a three-run deficit with a wild five-run seventh inning, as Norfolk (15-21) beat the Durham Bulls 10-6 on Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park. Norfolk right-hander Mickey
Ryan McKenna hit his second home run in as many days, Tyler Nevin blasted a go-ahead two-run homer and the Tides roared back from a three-run deficit with a wild five-run seventh inning, as Norfolk (15-21) beat the Durham Bulls 10-6 on Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park.
Norfolk right-hander Mickey Jannis (5.0IP, 6H, 2R, BB, 3K) took a no-decision in his first start of the year, holding Durham to two runs. The Tides also received strong relief outings from righty Marcos Diplan (1.0IP, 1H, 0R) and Eric Hanhold (1.2IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1BB, 1 K).
The Bulls opened the scoring in the second inning, as catcher Deivy Grullon joined McKenna in hitting a home run in back-to-back contests to put Durham up 1-0. The team extended its lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single from first baseman Dalton Kelly.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Durham pitcher Joe Ryan walked Tides designated hitter Nick Ciuffo. McKenna followed by launching a long home run to left field, tying the game at two runs apiece.
After his four-hit game last night, @Ry_mac35 tied the game with one swing in the fifth today 💪🔥
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) June 17, 2021
Tides 2 - Durham 2 | Top 6 pic.twitter.com/kSEZN5PkBl
A three-run top of the seventh, capped off by a two-run single from shortstop Wander Franco, helped the Bulls pull ahead 5-2. The Tides prevented a potential fourth run of the inning when right fielder Zach Jarrett and shortstop Mason McCoy teamed up on a relay throw to home plate to cut down a Durham runner attempting to score.
Norfolk took its first lead of the afternoon after plating five runs in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by Nevin’s two-run home run and an RBI single from second baseman Jahmai Jones, who extended his hitting streak to a team season-high eight games. The Tides were aided by two Durham errors, two walks and a wild pitch in the inning.
GOODBYE! @TylerNevin23 gives us the lead with a two-run shot, as we put up five runs in the seventh to come roaring back in this one!
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) June 17, 2021
Tides 7 - Durham 5 | Top 8 pic.twitter.com/6CFIYU7lcT
Grullon cut the Norfolk lead to one with his second home run of the afternoon in the top of the eighth, though Tides reliever Eric Hanhold was able to escape the inning without further damage.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Tides got some insurance from none other than Domingo Leyba, who hit his fourth home run with the Tides. In just eight games with Norfolk, Leyba is batting .344 with 4 HR and 17 RBI.
This guy is on another planet! @JuniorL07 launched a three-run blast in the eighth, and he now has 17 RBI in just eight games with Norfolk! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/g4kAIMpC7F
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) June 17, 2021
The Tides will host their first fireworks show of 2021 Friday evening against Durham, with LHP Zac Lowther (0-2, 5.28) taking the hill for Norfolk and RHP Drew Strotman (4-2, 4.91) getting the start for the Bulls.