Jimenez sharp, but Tides edged by Buffalo
Norfolk, VA - Ubaldo Jimenez tossed six solid innings in a rehab start, but Norfolk managed just six hits in a 2-1 setback to the Buffalo Bisons Sunday night at Harbor Park.
One night after Norfolk edged the Bisons 2-1, Buffalo returned the favor to draw even in the series. The loss dropped the Tides (54-62) seven games back in the IL South division.
Jimenez turned in a strong outing in his Tides debut, as he yielded one run on five hits over six innings of work. Jimenez, rehabbing a sprained right ankle, walked two and struck out three while throwing 59 of his 94 pitches for strikes. He took a two-hit shutout into the sixth inning before the Bisons finally pushed across a run against him, as Kevin Pillar opened the inning with a single and came around to score on a single by Sean Ochinko.
Jimenez, who has gone 3-8 with a 4.52 ERA in 18 starts for the Orioles this year, has now posted a 0.84 ERA (1 ER, 10.2 IP) with five walks and six strikeouts over two rehab outings between Aberdeen and Norfolk.
Buffalo plated the go-ahead run in the seventh inning off of Ryan Webb (0-1), who took the loss in his Tides debut. Webb issued a leadoff walk to Jonathan Diaz, who stole second base, moved to third on a walk and scored on a sacrifice fly by Adron Chambers.
Norfolk took an early lead in the contest, as Quintin Berry drove home Francisco Peguero with a two-out RBI single in the third inning. Berry finished with two hits in the contest to up his on-base percentage to .394 - 3rd in the International League.
Mike Zagurski (4-1) earned the win with two shutout innings of relief, while Bobby Korecky retired the Tides in order in the ninth to register his 18th save of the season.
The two clubs will continue their four-game series Monday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch set for 7:05. Mike Wright (3-9, 5.87) will look for his third straight victory for Norfolk and will be opposed by right-hander P.J. Walters (3-2, 4.98).
Notes: Prior to Sunday's game, RHP Ryan Webb was activated after being optioned from Baltimore and outfielder Xavier Paul was released. Paul had hit .254 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI in 81 games for the Tides…Ubaldo Jimenez is the first player in Tides history to have a first name start with the letter "U"… Ryan Webb's appearance made him the second member of his family to appear for the Tides, as his father Hank Webb appeared in 69 games for the Tidewater Tides from 1973-76…Ivan De Jesus singled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games…Former Virginia Tech All-American and NFL running back Kevin Jones threw out the first pitch as part of Hokie Night at Harbor Park.