A two-run double by Pedro Álvarez highlighted Norfolk's offense, but the Tides were limited to six hits in a 5-3 loss to the Gwinnett Braves Monday night at Harbor Park.
A two-run double by Pedro Álvarez highlighted Norfolk's offense, but the Tides were limited to six hits in a 5-3 loss to the Gwinnett Braves Monday night at Harbor Park.
Álvarez plated Norfolk's first runs of the contest in the third inning, as he scored Paul Janish and Michael Bourn with a line drive double to the right-center field wall. Álvarez, who later added a run-scoring groundout in the eighth inning, has now hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, and his 19 runs batted in rank second on the Tides this season.
Tyler Wilson (0-3) took the loss after yielding four runs on six hits over 6.1 innings of work. Wilson, who entered the contest with just four strikeouts through his first 14.0 innings with the Tides, registered a season-high eight punchouts in the contest - including striking out the side in the second frame. The UVA product walked one and threw 60 of his season-high 98 pitches for strikes but surrendered a two-run home run to Anthony Recker in the third frame and a solo shot to Matt Tuiasosopo leading off the seventh.
The home runs were the first Wilson had allowed in nine career starts against Gwinnett, as he entered the contest having not allowed a long ball in 47.0 career innings against the Braves.
Gwinnett starter Matt Wisler (1-2) earned his first victory of the season by yielding three runs (two earned) on six hits over 7.1 innings. He walked a pair and struck out four before being replaced by Luke Jackson, who recorded the final five outs of the contest to earn his first save of the season.
Michael Bourn singled, walked and scored two runs, and he also added a pair of highlight reel catches in the fifth inning. He opened the inning by making a sliding catch to deny Ozzie Albies of a single before ending the frame with a leaping catch against the center field wall to take away an extra-base hit from Mel Rojas Jr.
Johnny Giavotella added two hits for Norfolk, which dropped its third consecutive contest.
The two clubs continue their three-game set Tuesday at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 6:35. Mike Wright (2-3, 4.63) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by right-hander Aaron Blair (1-2, 6.26).
Prior to Tuesday's Tides game, Harbor Park will play host a college game between the Old Dominion Monarchs and the Virginia Tech Hokies. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05, with gates opening at 11:00 am.
Notes: Prior to Monday's game, left-hander Andrew Faulkner was transferred to Norfolk's roster from Class-A Delmarva. Faulker walked two and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in his season debut…Norfolk plated a run in the eighth inning for the first time this season…Norfolk dropped to 2-17 when its opponents score the first run of the game…The eight strikeouts registered by Tyler Wilson matched a Tides season high, previously set by Jayson Aquino on April 14th vs. Charlotte.
