Columbus made an early run hold up as the Clippers blanked the Tides 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park.
Columbus made an early run hold up as the Clippers blanked the Tides 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park.
Norfolk starter Luis Ysla (0-1) turned in a strong effort in his Tides debut, allowing one run on two hits over five innings of work. Both hits he allowed came to the first two batters of the contest, as Brandon Barnes and Connor Marabell opened the game with back-to-back singles. Yu Chang then followed with a run-scoring double-play grounder to plate what would be the only run of the contest.
Ysla settled in after the first frame, facing just two batters over the minimum over his final four innings. He retired 11 consecutive batters at one point, and he ended his outing with four strikeouts and three walks while throwing 52 of his 86 pitches for strikes.
Norfolk pitching did not allow a hit after the first two batters of the game, as Ysla, Michael Kelly and Tim Melville combined to hold the Clippers hitless over the final eight innings. Melville worked two scoreless frames and has now turned in eight straight appearances without allowing an earned run.
Adam Plutko (7-3) and three Clippers relievers combined on the shutout, with the quartet combining to retire the final 18 batters of the contest. The four Columbus hurlers combined to strike out 11 while issuing just one walk.
With the loss, the Tides (61-56) are now 1.0 game behind Columbus (63-56) in the International League Wild Card standings. Norfolk has 23 games remaining this season, 16 of which will come on the road.
The Tides will open up their penultimate road trip of the season on Monday night, as Norfolk begins a three-game set at Pawtucket. Josh Rogers (7-9, 3.54) is set to start for the Tides and will be opposed by right-hander Chandler Shepherd (6-7, 3.86), with first pitch slated for 7:05.
Notes: Luis Ysla is the 67th different player to appear on the active roster for the Tides this season… Breyvic Valera singled and walked, extending his hitting streak to seven games…The shutout loss was Norfolk's fifth of the season…Despite the loss, Norfolk is 25-15 in one-run contests this season…The two teams combined to go 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
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