Johnson, Tides avoid sweep in 3-1 win at Gwinnett

After losing the first two games of the series, Norfolk responded with a 3-1 win over Gwinnett. Chris Johnson led the way with three hits and three RBI, including his first home run of the season. Alec Asher threw 5.0 innings and allowed five hits and just one run, earning the win.

The Tides got the ball rolling in the 3^rd inning when Sharlon Schoop hit a double with Luis Sardiñas on. After Sardiñas was out at home on a Chris Dickerson fielder's choice, Dickerson was able to advance to second and Schoop to third. With two outs, Johnson then hit a two-run single to score both of them to make the lead 2-0.
The Braves answered in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, Ozzie Albies doubled to left field to score Anthony Recker from second base. Gwinnett cut Norfolk's lead to 2-1.
There wasn't another score until the top of the 6^th when Johnson hit his first home run of the year off of Lucas Sims. This put the Tides up 3-1, and it stayed that way as they beat the Braves.
It was Alec Asher's first game with the Tides since he started against Gwinnett during the Tides home opener on April 10^th. Combining the two starts, Asher is 1-0 with 9.1 innings, allowing one run on nine hits and he has struck out eight while only walking two. His ERA stands at 0.96
Between Logan Verrett, Andrew Faulkner and Richard Rodríguez, Norfolk's bullpen threw 4.0 shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three. Both Verrett and Faulkner recorded a hold, while Rodriguez earned his second save of the season.
The Tides will now travel to Columbus to face off against the Clippers in a three-game series before the All-Star Break begins. Gabriel Ynoa (1-7, 7.13) will be facing off against Shawn Morimando (8-5, 3.40), first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.