Mike Wright turned in seven strong innings, but three Gwinnett pitchers combined to hold Norfolk to three hits in a 5-0 win over the Tides Tuesday night at Harbor Park.
Mike Wright turned in seven strong innings, but three Gwinnett pitchers combined to hold Norfolk to three hits in a 5-0 win over the Tides Tuesday night at Harbor Park.
The Braves jumped out to a quick lead in the contest, as Ozzie Albies - the top rated prospect in the Atlanta system - lined the second pitch of the game into the right field bullpen for his second homer of the season. The homer was the start of a big night for Albies, as the 20-year-old second baseman finished with three hits, two walks, two RBI, a stolen base and three runs scored.
Wright (2-4) settled down after the leadoff homer, retiring 15 of the next 17 batters he faced before yielding a run on a two-out single by Lane Adams in the sixth frame. Wright ended his night allowing just five hits over a season-high 7.0 innings of work, striking out six and walking four while throwing 62 of his 100 pitches for strikes.
Over his first three starts in May, Wright has now gone 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA (5 ER, 18.2 IP), 15 strikeouts and five walks.
Johnny Giavotella singled twice and walked to lead Norfolk's offense, while Michael Bourn added a single in four at-bats. The shutout loss was the fourth of the season for the Tides, who have tied their season-high with four consecutive setbacks.
Aaron Blair (2-2) earned the win with five shutout innings, while Andrew Albers and David Peterson yielded just one hit over four innings of relief to give the Braves their third straight victory.
The two teams will wrap up their three-game set on Wednesday, with first pitch slated for 12:05. Jordan Kipper (1-0, 3.60) will make his Harbor Park debut and be opposed by left-hander Sean Newcomb (2-2, 2.89), with airtime on ESPN Radio 94.1 at 11:50 am.
Notes: Earlier Tuesday, the Orioles activated catcher Welington Castillo from the disabled list and outrighted OF Craig Gentry to Norfolk… Pedro Álvarez walked twice in the contest, tying him with Johnny Giavotella for the team lead with 18 free passes this season…Michael Bourn swiped his first stolen base…Norfolk dropped to 2-18 when its opponents score the first run of the game.
May 16 highlights
