Sedlock's Historic Performance Not Enough in Tides Loss

NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk Tides (15-19) suffered their third-straight loss to the Memphis Redbirds (18-16), 4-2, on Friday at Harbor Park.

After allowing two runs on two hits, with a walk, in the first four batters he faced, Cody Sedlock turned in one of the most domi­nant relief outings by a Tides reliever this season. He retired the next 11 batters he faced before hitting Ben DeLuzio to begin the eighth.

Overall in his appearance, Sedlock struck out eight, matching Steve Johnson’s record set on June 26, 2012, for most strikeouts by a Tides reliever since the franchise became an Orioles affiliate in 2007. His 5.1 innings of work was a season-high and his eight punch outs were the most in a game since Sept. 10, 2021.

His efforts kept the Tides in the contest, but ultimately were not enough. The Redbirds grabbed the lead in the first on a two-run triple from Ivan Herrera and later added to their lead in the fourth on a two-run double from Evan Mendoza, taking a 4-1 lead.

The Tides scored their only run of the game in the third on an RBI-double from Brett Cumberland, but the offense could only muster just four hits the rest of the night and only took five at-bats with a runner in scoring position over the final five innings of the ballgame.

Norfolk mounted a dramatic, late rally in the ninth, loading the bases for Orioles top prospect Adley Rutschman with two outs. He drew a walk to score Cumberland, giving a chance for Yusniel Diaz to send the fans home happy, but he grounded out to third, ending the game.

The two clubs are back in action tomorrow on a fireworks night at Harbor Park, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. RHP Blaine Knight (0-1, 8.24) is slated to take the mound for Norfolk. He will be facing LHP Connor Thomas (1-2, 4.68), who is scheduled to start for Memphis.

POSTGAME NOTES

• (SED)LOCK THEM DOWN: Cody Sedlock worked 5.1 innings in relief, striking out a season-high eight batters...after allowing two runs on two hits in his first four batters faced, Sedlock retired the next 11 Redbirds in order before hitting Ben DeLuzio to start the eighth, including striking out the side in the fifth...his eight strikeouts were the most by a Tides reliever this season and they matched a franchise record since Norfolk became an Orioles affiliate in 2007.
• RUTSCHMAN REPORT: Adley Rutschman went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and an RBI, drawing a walk with the bases loaded in the ninth...it was his first multi-hit effort with the Tides this season and he now has back-to-back games with an RBI...Rutschman has hit safely in four of six games with the Tides this season and has reached base safely in all six.
• PLUNKED: Brett Cumberland was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning of tonight’s game, extending his franchise hit by pitch record to 31...after being hit 28 times in 84 games last season, he has been hit three times in 16 games this year...in total, Norfolk batters have been hit 27 times this season, the second-most in the International League.