Michael Saunders hit a two-run single and Norfolk took advantage of some key Charlotte miscues in a 7-1 win over the Knights Tuesday night at Harbor Park.
Michael Saunders hit a two-run single and Norfolk took advantage of some key Charlotte miscues in a 7-1 win over the Knights Tuesday night at Harbor Park.
Norfolk trailed the contest 1-0 entering the third, but the Tides rallied to take the lead against Knights starter T.J. House (0-1). Joey Rickard drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk to get the Tides on the board, and Michael Saunders followed with a two-run single to center to put Norfolk on top 3-1.
One inning later, the Tides loaded the bases again against House with two outs, when Rubén Tejada hit a sharp grounder that third baseman Patrick Leonard could not handle for a two-run error. Norfolk then pushed across another unearned run in the frame when Engelb Vielma scored from third base on a passed ball, giving the Tides a 6-1 cushion.
The Tides capped the scoring in the seventh frame, as Alex Presley opened the inning with a triple before scoring on a wild pitch.
The early offense was plenty for the Tides pitching staff, as five pitchers combined to allow just four hits while striking out 12. Josh Edgin (1-0) earned the victory by striking out four over 2.1 innings of shutout relief, with Donnie Hart, Matt Wotherspoon and Jhan Mariñez combining to hold the Knights hitless over the final 4.2 innings of the contest.
Norfolk starter Jimmy Yacabonis, making his first appearance with the Tides after being optioned from Baltimore over the weekend, allowed one run on two hits over two innings of work. The right-hander walked a pair and struck out one, throwing 28 of his 53 pitches for strikes. It was the first career professional start for Yacabonis, who had made the first 205 appearances of his career out of the bullpen.
Presley led Norfolk's offense with two hits and two runs scored, as the Tides (2-2) pulled to .500 on the season.
Norfolk will wrap up its season-opening homestand on Wednesday afternoon at Harbor Park, with first pitch set for 12:05. Tim Melville is set to make his Tides debut and will be opposed by right-hander Dylan Covey (1-0, 1.80).
Notes: Earlier Tuesday, the Orioles recalled RHP Yefry Ramírez from Norfolk to take the roster spot of LHP Nestor Cortes, who was designated for assignment…In other pregame roster moves, Yacabonis and LHP Tanner Scott were added to Norfolk's roster after being optioned from Baltimore…Norfolk went 2-8 with runners in scoring position after opening the year 0-13 with RISP…The Tides have hit three triples (by three different players) through the first four games of the season.
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