Garcia pitches Tides past Gwinnett

Freddy Garcia allowed one run over 7.2 strong innings to pitch the Tides to a 3-2 win over the Gwinnett Braves Wednesday night from Coolray Field. 

Garcia (2-0) yielded just four hits without walking a batter to help Norfolk (8-6) pick up its sixth one-run victory of the 2013 season. The 36-year-old major league veteran struck out three and carried a one-hitter into the sixth inning before the Braves finally got on the board on an RBI double by Ernesto Mejia. 

Garcia's outing was the longest for a Tides starter this season. Daniel Schlereth followed Garcia and retired the only batter he faced before giving way to Jairo Asencio, who allowed a run in the ninth but still managed to record his league-leading fifth save of the season. 

Niuman Romero and Russ Canzler each had two hits and an RBI to lead Norfolk's offense, while Yamaico Navarro added a single and a sacrifice fly.

The two clubs will wrap up their six-game home-and-home series Thursday night from Gwinnett, with first pitch set for 6:05.  Zach Britton (0-0, 2.35) will take the hill for the Tides as they look to move a season-high three games over .500.