The Tides were limited to just four hits in a 4-1 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Tuesday night at Harbor Park.
The Tides were limited to just four hits in a 4-1 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Tuesday night at Harbor Park.
Jace Peterson had two of Norfolk's four hits, singling in the fourth frame before doubling in the sixth inning. Ryan Mountcastle also singled and scored in the setback, while Cedric Mullins added a sacrifice fly.
Drew Hutchison (5-4), Rex Brothers and J.P. Feyereisen combined on the gem for the RailRiders, who improved their record to a league-best 37-25 with the win. Hutchison struck out five over six innings before giving way to the bullpen, which combined to throw three hitless innings of relief. RailRiders pitching faced just one batter over the minimum over the final four innings, retiring each of Norfolk's final seven batters in succession.
In his first start in a Norfolk uniform, Chandler Shepherd (0-6) took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits over 4.1 innings of work. Shepherd, who had made just two relief outings with the Tides since being claimed off waivers by the Orioles on May 22nd, walked four and struck out four but needed 91 pitches to navigate his outing. He walked three in a 41-pitch first inning but rebounded to pitch into the fifth frame, despite allowing a two-run homer to Kyle Higashioka in the third inning.
Sean Gilmartin and Jimmy Yacabonis turned in strong efforts out of Norfolk's bullpen, combining to allow two hits over 4.2 innings of relief. The duo combined to strike out five without walking a batter.
Mark Trumbo went 0-for-3 with a walk in his fifth rehab game with the Tides, and he's now batting .200 (3-15) with five walks over five contests with Norfolk.
The two clubs will continue their three-game set on Wednesday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 7:05. Tyler Herb (4-3, 4.09) is set to start for the Tides and will be opposed by right-hander Randall Delgado (0-2, 5.63).
Notes: Prior to Tuesday's game, RHP Tom Eshelman was activated to Norfolk's roster after he was acquired in a trade from Philadelphia on Monday. To make room on the roster, RHP Branden Kline was transferred to Double-A Bowie…Norfolk is in game eight of a 10-game stretch that sees them play the division leaders of the IL North (Scranton/WB), the IL South (Durham) and the IL West (Columbus)…The Tides entered play leading the IL with a .293 average with runners in scoring position, but Norfolk has gone just 1-for-16 with RISP over its last two games.
