Late miscues sink Tides in 4-3 setback
Norfolk got a strong start from Terry Doyle, but Columbus took advantage of some late Tides miscues in a 4-3 win Wednesday night at Harbor Park.
With the score knotted at 3-3 in the ninth, Columbus' James Ramsey ignited the game-winning rally with a one-out single to left field off of Richard Rodriguez (1-2). Tides left fielder Junior Lake overran the ball though, allowing Ramsey to move to second on the error. Ramsey then advanced to third on a balk by Rodriguez before coming around to score on a bloop single to center field by Anthony Gallas that gave the Clippers a one-run advantage.
Norfolk threatened to tie the game in the last of the ninth, as Christian Walker and Dariel Alvarez worked consecutive two-out walks from Carlos Marmol (2-1). Marmol rebounded to strike out Sean Halton, however, ending the threat and giving Columbus the victory in the opener of the three-game set.
The game had been tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, but the Clippers put together a rally against Rodriguez to take the lead. Tyler Naquin opened the frame with a single to center - his fourth hit of the game - before being sacrificed to second on a bunt by Erik Gonzalez. Jesus Aguilar then belted a two-run home run into the left field picnic area on a 1-2 pitch for his 15th homer of the season to give the Clippers a 3-1 advantage.
Norfolk rallied back in the bottom of the eighth frame thanks to a wild outing by Trey Haley, as the Columbus reliever uncorked two wild pitches, a walk and a throwing error in the inning to help the Tides knot the score at 3-3.
Doyle turned in a tremendous outing but did not factor in the decision, as he allowed one run on five hits over seven innings of work. Doyle, who entered play tied among all pitchers in Minor League Baseball with 14 victories this season, walked one and struck out seven as he lowered his ERA to 2.96 in four outings with the Tides since being promoted from Double-A Bowie. The Boston College product allowed a first inning run on a double play groundout by Aguilar but rebounded to face just five batters over the minimum over his final six innings of work.
Norfolk outhit the Clippers eleven to nine in the contest but finished 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
The two clubs continue their three-game series Thursday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 7:05. Left-hander Chris Jones (8-6, 2.85) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by southpaw Ryan Merritt (0-0, 4.50). On Thursday, the first 2,000 fans 17 and under will receive the third of three sets of Tides baseball cards, courtesy of John's Tax Service and WSKY-4 TV.
Notes: Earlier Wednesday, the Orioles signed LHP Mike Belfiore to a free agent contract and assigned him to Norfolk. Belfiore, who previously pitched for the Tides in 2013, was 5-11 with a 5.60 ERA in 22 starts for Toledo this season…Dariel Alvarez singled in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to seven straight games, over which he's hit .333 (10-30)…Julio Borbon singled in the first inning and has now hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games…Junior Lake doubled twice…Sharlon Schoop tied his season-high with three hits.
Tides Offense Ignites to Defeat Knights
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (10-20) defeated the Charlotte Knights (15-16) 11-3 on Friday night at Truist Park. All nine Tides’ hitters recorded at least one base hit tonight as Norfolk threw up two crooked numbers in the second and eighth innings. TT Bowens (1-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI) started
Five Norfolk Homers Not Enough in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (9-19) fell to the Charlotte Knights (14-15), 9-8, on Wednesday night at Truist Field. Norfolk led 6-1 at one point before the Knights came back and would walked off the Tides in the ninth. Coby Mayo stole the show in the first half of
Norfolk Drops First Game at Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (9-18) fell to the Charlotte Knights (13-15), 6-1, on Tuesday night at Truist Field. The Tides were limited to three hits to the Knights' 11. The lone Tides run of the night came in the third inning after Coby Mayo hit a sacrifice fly.
Machín, Rivera Lead Tides to Series Finale Win
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (9-17) defeated the Memphis Redbirds (15-10), 6-4, on Sunday at Harbor Park. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak in the homestand finale. Norfolk began the game with a run in the first after Coby Mayo scored following his second triple of the season.
Tides Swept By Redbirds in Doubleheader
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (8-16) were swept in a doubleheader by the Memphis Redbirds (14-9) on Friday night at Harbor Park. Norfolk lost 10-1 in game one, then 7-5 in game two after holding a 4-0 lead at one point. Game one was an immediate struggle for the
Fabian Home Run Not Enough In Loss
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (8-14) fell to the Memphis Redbirds (12-9), 7-6, on Thursday at Harbor Park. After being tied 3-3 entering the fifth inning, Memphis would put up four unanswered runs through the eighth inning to ultimately put away the Tides. Memphis scored their three initial runs
Wednesday Night's Game vs. Memphis Postponed
Wednesday night's game vs. the Memphis Redbirds has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions. It will be made up as part of a single admission doubleheader Friday, April 25. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:35 p.m., with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. The doubleheader will feature
Norfolk Drops Game One to Memphis
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (8-13) fell to the Memphis Redbirds (11-9), 8-3, on Tuesday night at Harbor Park. The game started 59 minutes late due to storms in the area. Two big innings by the Redbirds put away the Tides in the series opener. The first big inning
Series Finale in Omaha Canceled Due to Rain
Papillion, NE – The Norfolk Tides and Omaha Storm Chasers were rained out on Sunday, canceling their series finale. It was the final time the two teams were facing each other this season, resulting in the cancelation rather than a postponement. Omaha defeated Norfolk, 3-2, in what became a five-game
Norfolk Routs Storm Chasers in Omaha
Papillion, NE – The Norfolk Tides (8-12) defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers (10-9), 11-1, on Saturday at Werner Park. The Tides snapped their two game losing streak and trail Omaha, 3-2, entering the series finale on Sunday scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Sunday. Norfolk didn't take their time scoring, putting up
Two Home Runs Not Enough For Tides in Loss
Papillion, NE – The Norfolk Tides (7-12) fell to the Omaha Storm Chasers (10-8), 10-8, on Friday night at Werner Park. The Tides had a 5-1 lead, but an eight-run sixth inning by the Storm Chasers would prove to put away Norfolk. Norfolk's initial runs came via the home run.
Norfolk Mashes Way to Victory Over Omaha
Papillion, NE – It looked like batting practice in Werner Park as the Norfolk Tides (7-10) collected 15 hits and nine extra base hits in a 15-6 blowout over the Omaha Storm Chasers (8-8). Eight of the 10 batters Norfolk sent to the plate today recorded a hit, and four
Omaha Rallies to Defeat Norfolk in First Matchup Since 1991
PAPILLION, NE – The Norfolk Tides (6-10) and Omaha Storm Chasers (8-7) played their first game against each other since the Triple-A Alliance between the International League and the American Association in 1991. The Tides jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the 5th inning before Omaha scored six unanswered
Mayo, Fabian Homer in Homestand Finale Loss
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (6-9) fell to the Gwinnett Stripers (7-7), 12-8, on Sunday at Harbor Park. Norfolk drops their homestand, 2-4, vs. Gwinnett this previous week, going 0-2-1 in series this season. Six of the 12 runs scored by Gwinnett came in the second inning, capped by
Norfolk Splits Doubleheader with Gwinnett
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (6-8) split a doubleheader with the Gwinnett Stripers (6-7) on Saturday night at Harbor Park. Gwinnett took game one, 6-1, and Norfolk won game two, 6-2. The series is in Gwinnett's favor, 3-2, entering Sunday's season finale. It was all Gwinnett in game one,
Friday Night's Game vs. Gwinnett Postponed
Friday night's game vs. the Gwinnett Stripers has been postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as part of a single admission doubleheader tomorrow, April 12. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:35 p.m., with gates opening at 4:00 p.m. Tonight’s Norfolk Red Stockings and
Gibson, Strider Matchup Ends in Tides Loss
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (5-7) fell to the Gwinnett Stripers (5-6), 6-1, on Thursday night at Harbor Park. It was a highlighted pitcher's duel between two former Major League All-Stars in Kyle Gibson for the Tides and Spencer Strider for Gwinnett. Gibson, who made his season debut for
Norfolk Goes to Extras For Second Straight Night in Loss
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (5-6) fell to the Gwinnett Stripers (4-6), 4-2, in 10 innings on Wednesday night at Harbor Park. It was the second straight night the Tides went to extras with Gwinnett, except this time it was the Tides falling short in their first loss of
Tides Walk Off Homestand Opener vs. Gwinnett
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (5-5) defeated the Gwinnett Stripers (3-6), 8-7, in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Harbor Park. Gwinnett scored four runs in the ninth inning to force extras, but Norfolk prevailed as Maverick Handley would walk it off for the Tides in the 10th. Gwinnett
Charlotte Rallies Back to Defeat Norfolk in Series Finale
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (4-5) fell to the Charlotte Knights (6-3) 9 -8 on Sunday afternoon in the series finale at Truist Field. Norfolk split their first road trip 3-3 as every game was decided by three or fewer runs. Charlotte scored three in the bottom of the
Young Leads Norfolk, Pitching Staff to Victory
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (4-4) defeated the Charlotte Knights (5-3), 3-2, on Saturday night at Truist Field. The Tides carried a combined no-hitter through the seventh inning, helping them clinch a series split with their third win of the road trip. Norfolk scored all of their runs early,
Late Norfolk Comeback Falls Short as Series Evens
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (3-4) fell to the Charlotte Knights (5-2), 7-6, on Friday night at Truist Field. Two big innings by the Knights were enough to hold off the Tides, who would make it a one-run game late. The loss evens the road trip at 2-2. Norfolk
Three Home Runs Power Tides to Victory
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (3-3) defeated the Charlotte Knights (4-2), 6-3, on Thursday night at Truist Field. The Tides won their second consecutive game with the help of three home runs. The first home run came in the second inning from Luis Vázquez, his first of the season.
Weston Shines, Bullpen Holds in First Tides Road Win
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (2-3) defeated the Charlotte Knights (4-1), 3-1, on Wednesday night at Truist Field. The Tides would win a pitcher's duel in game two of their road trip, handing the Knights their first loss of the season. Cameron Weston made his Triple-A debut as Norfolk's
Home Runs Not Enough to Topple Knights
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (1-3) fell to the Charlotte Knights (4-0), 4-3, on Tuesday night at Truist Field. Gunnar Henderson blasted a home run for a second straight game, finishing the night 1-for-4 with a walk. Gunnar's home run broke the scoring open in the third inning, a