Three Norfolk hurlers combined on a four-hit shutout as the Tides wrapped up their homestand with a 1-0 win over the Toledo Mud Hens Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park.
Three Norfolk hurlers combined on a four-hit shutout as the Tides wrapped up their homestand with a 1-0 win over the Toledo Mud Hens Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park.
Norfolk starter Chandler Shepherd was tremendous in taking a no-decision, as he allowed just two hits over 6.2 shutout innings. Making just his second start for Norfolk since being claimed off of waivers from the Chicago Cubs on May 18th, Shepherd struck out five and walked one while throwing 61 of his 96 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old right-hander faced just two batters over the minimum and turned in four 1-2-3 innings. He now owns a 4.30 ERA in four games (two starts) since joining the Tides.
Toledo starter Tyler Alexander matched Shepherd's efforts with 6.2 shutout innings of his own. The left-hander yielded just four hits and two walks while striking out three, throwing 57 of his 97 pitches for strikes.
Shepherd gave way to Tanner Scott (3-1), who struck out two over two shutout innings of relief. Scott retired the first five batters he faced before yielding back-to-back singles with two out in the ninth. Evan Phillips came on and ended Toledo's threat by inducing a fly out to Mike Mahtook that ended the game and gave Phillips his first save of the season.
Norfolk plated the lone run of the contest in the eighth inning off of reliever Eduardo Jiménez (1-2). Joey Rickard led off the frame with a fly ball to center field that Daz Cameron misplayed for an error, and Rickard followed by swiping second base. One out later, Jace Peterson sliced a single to left to put runners on first and third. After Jimenez struck out Austin Hays, Mason Williams beat out a grounder to second baseman Sean Kazmar, plating Rickard and giving Norfolk the only run it would need.
Williams finished with two singles in the win, while Peterson added a single, double and stolen base. Peterson has now hit safely in seven consecutive games, six of which have been multi-hit contests.
The shutout was Norfolk's fourth shutout victory of the season, and gave the Tides a season series win over the Mud Hens. Norfolk won six of ten games between the two clubs, the sixth season series victory for the Tides over the Mud Hens in the last eight seasons.
After an off day Monday, the Tides head to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday to kick off a three-game set with the RailRiders. RHP Tyler Herb (4-4, 4.69) is slated to make the start for Norfolk, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05.
Notes: Earlier Sunday, RHP Pedro Araujo was transferred from Norfolk to Double-A Bowie…The Tides wore hats representing Virginia Beach Fire, Police and area First Responders. Those hats will be auctioned off this week, with proceeds benefiting the Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund…Evan Phillips owns a 0.82 ERA in eight relief appearances with Norfolk this season.
