Tides Comeback Falls Short As They Lose to Durham in Extras

In the series finale at Durham, the Norfolk Tides lost to the Bulls, 7-6, in 10 innings. After scoring two runs in the top of the 10th inning to take the lead, the Tides allowed three runs to Durham in the bottom-half, resulting in the walk-off victory for the Bulls.

The Tides scored in the first inning to take the early lead by loading the bases with no outs. They scored the run after Tyler Nevin grounded into a double play. Norfolk couldn’t score anymore that inning and Durham was able to tie the game at 1-1 in the second when Curtis Mead hit an RBI double.

Norfolk retook the lead in the fifth inning when Kyle Stowers hit a two-run homer, making it 3-1, Norfolk. It was Stowers second straight game with a home run, his 26th overall this season.

TIDES TAKE THE LEAD! @KyleStowers towers one over the right-center field wall for two runs! It's his second straight game with a homer. Tides lead, 3-1 in the 6th. pic.twitter.com/bcw5XVPgqV

— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) September 12, 2021

Durham was able to take the lead after scoring a run in each of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. In the sixth, Rene Pinto cut the lead with an RBI double. In the seventh, hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3-3. Durham took the lead when Ryan Boldt hit a home run, making it 4-3.

With a full count and two outs in the ninth inning, the Tides were down to their last pitch. With Adley Rutschman on first base, Robert Neustrom laced a double to left-center to tie the game at 4-4 and forced extras.

ALL TIED UP! Down to their their final pitch and on a full count, @RobertNeustrom doubled to score Adley Rutschman from first base, tying the game at 4-4 in the 9th! We now head to extras. pic.twitter.com/qAlE6fpJCP

— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) September 12, 2021

Two-out magic kept happening late for the Tides when they pinch-hit Pat Valaika in the game with a runner on second in the 10th. On the second pitch he saw, Valaika blasted a two-run shot giving the Tides a 6-4 lead.

GONE! Pat Valaika hits a pinch-hit two-run homer in the 10th to give Norfolk the 6-4 lead. César Valdez enters to pitch for the Tides to close it out. pic.twitter.com/HJRcIZrHLL

— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) September 13, 2021

But Norfolk couldn’t stop the Bulls, as Durham scored on a Pinto RBI single to bring the game within one run. With Esteban Quiroz pinch hitting, he hit a two-run RBI single to walk it off for Durham, giving the Bulls a 7-6 extra-innings win.

After losing the seven-game series in Durham, 4-3, the Tides return to Harbor Park to host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., with the Tides hosting a Turn Back the Clock Night where Harbor Park will feature hot dogs, boxes of popcorn, and soft drinks at the special roll back price of just $0.50 each.