Luis Sardiñas and Mike Yastrzemski both had two hits apiece to help pace a 10-hit attack, but the Gwinnett Stripers topped the Tides 4-1 Thursday night at Harbor Park.
Luis Sardiñas and Mike Yastrzemski both had two hits apiece to help pace a 10-hit attack, but the Gwinnett Stripers topped the Tides 4-1 Thursday night at Harbor Park.
The Tides entered the contest as the second-highest scoring offense in the International League, but Norfolk was limited to a single run despite registering its fifth game of 10 or more hits in July. Norfolk has batted a league-best .282 through nine games this month, but the loss dropped the Tides to 5-4 in July.
Sardiñas doubled and singled in the contest, continuing his torrid stretch to open the month of July. He's hit safely in seven consecutive games to open the month, batting .414 (12-29) with four doubles and four runs scored.
Yastrzemski's two-hit night gave him hits in eight of his last nine games with an at-bat, while Cedric Mullins doubled and scored as he extended his hitting streak to 12 games - matching the longest streak by a Norfolk player this season. Renato Nuñez plated Mullins with a third inning single for Norfolk's lone run of the contest.
Norfolk starter Matt Wotherspoon (2-6) took the loss after yielding three runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings of work. Making his fifth start of the season - and fourth start of the year against Gwinnett - Wotherspoon struck out five and walked a pair while throwing 63 of his season-high 91 pitches for strikes. He yielded an RBI single to Rio Ruiz and a sacrifice fly to Carlos Franco in the third frame, then surrendered a run-scoring single to Phil Gosselin with two outs in the fourth inning.
Matt Wisler (3-4) earned the win after allowing a run on eight hits over six innings. He struck out four while issuing one walk, throwing 64 of his 93 pitches for strikes. Jacob Webb worked a scoreless ninth to register his third save of the season.
Luis Marté had three hits and an RBI in his Triple-A debut to help pace the Stripers offense.
The two clubs will continue their four-game set on Friday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 7:05. Asher Wojciechowski (5-4, 3.76) will make the start for Norfolk and be opposed by left-hander Luiz Gohara (1-3, 6.17). Friday is Christmas in July at Harbor Park, as the first 3,000 fans ages 18 and over will receive a collectable snow globe courtesy of John's Tax Service and Super Doppler 10.
Notes: Prior to Thursday's game, RHP Ryan Meisinger was activated to Norfolk's roster after he was optioned from Baltimore on July 10th…Cedric Mullins' 12-game hitting streak is tied with Alex Presley for the longest streak by a Tides player this year…Tim Melville worked a scoreless inning of relief, his fourth straight scoreless appearance since he moved to the bullpen…Norfolk went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position…Norfolk pitchers struck out 10 in the contest, giving the Tides 12 more strikeouts (91) than hits allowed (79) through 79.0 innings in July.
July 12 Video Highlights
