Norfolk makes it two in a row over Braves
The Norfolk Tides made it two-straight against the Gwinnett Braves Sunday night at Harbor Park with a 3-1 win in front of 4,944 fans.
Ryan Adams delivered the big hit in the second of two games. The second baseman got a hold of an Anthony Varvaro offering and put it just over the wall in right field for a tie-breaking, two-run homer. Varvaro had just entered the game in relief of starter Steven Shell.
Rick VandenHurk (6-12, 4.71) ended his season-high five-game losing streak by tossing 6.0 innings of five-hit, one-run baseball. The righty from the Netherlands struck out four and walked two before giving the ball to newcomer Zach Phillips. His only blemish came in the 3rd inning when he gave up consecutive doubles to Jeff Fiorentino and Wilkin Castillo to leadoff the frame.
Shell (2-2, 2.80) took the loss despite not giving up the game-winning hit. Pitching in a spot start, he lasted 4.1 innings and was charged with two runs on six hits. He served up a ground rule double to Matt Angle with one out in the 5th inning before exiting in favor of Varvaro. Angle came around to score on the Adams home run.
Angle continued his impressive stretch. After going 3-for-5 in the first game Sunday night, the outfielder went 3-for-3 in game two. He is now hitting .418 (33-for-79) over his past 18 games with the Tides.
Jake Fox put the Tides on the board in the 1st inning with an RBI single that scored Kyle Hudson.
Phillips, making his Tides debut after being acquired on July 19 from Texas for Nick Green, tossed a scoreless 7th inning to earn the save.
The victory gave the Tides consecutive wins for the first time since July 2nd and 3rd against Charlotte.
The Tides will go for their first four-game series win since taking 3-of-4 from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre June 28 – July 1 tomorrow. RH Chris Tillman (3-3, 4.17) will take the ball opposite RH Erik Cordier (3-6, 5.13). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15.
Tides drop seventh straight at home
The Norfolk Tides lost for the seventh-straight time at Harbor Park Friday night, falling to the Gwinnett Braves 5-2 in front of 5,301 fans.
The Tides trailed all night after starting pitcher Mitch Atkins gave up a run in the 1st inning. Jose Constanza led off the 1st frame with a single and moved to third base on a single by Tyler Pastornicky. He came around to score a batter later on Matt Young’s double play.
Atkins (2-4, 3.38), pitching in his first game with the Tides since being optioned back to Norfolk on July 19, calmed down after the shaky 1st inning and lasted 7.0 innings. He was charged with four runs on the night on six hits. He struck out three batters and walked three.
The Braves added two more runs in the 4th inning off Atkins when Pastornicky led off with his second of three singles on the night. He came around to score later in the frame on Mauro Gomez’s double that hit off Robbie Widlansky’s glove in right field. Stefan Gartrell, who had gone to third base on the double, scored a batter later on a sacrifice fly from Ruben Gotay.
The Tides had their chances on the night but left 11 men on base while hitting just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. They had a chance to take the lead in the 3rd inning, loading the bases with one out, but Jake Fox hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
Fox had another chance to tie the game in the 9th inning off reliever Jairo Asencio. Kyle Hudson hit a one-out single and moved to 3rd on a walk to Ryan Adams. Following a Josh Bell groundout, Fox struck out to end the game.
Todd Redmond (7-8, 3.18) picked up the win after allowing two runs (one earned) in 5.0 innings. He gave up four hits while walking two and striking out two.
Asencio was credited with his 18th save.
Ryan Adams hit a solo home run to put the Tides on the board in the 6th inning. Tyler Henson delivered a two-out single that scored Bell later in the frame.
Kyle Hudson continued his hot stretch for the home team. The speedster recorded his second-straight three-hit game and is now hitting .429 (12-for-28) since returning to the Tides on July 17. It was his fifth multi-hit game of the run.
Gomez added a sacrifice fly that scored Pastornicky in the 6th inning. Constanza padded the visitor’s lead with bases-loaded, two-out single in the 9th inning off Josh Rupe.
The same two clubs will meet again Saturday night at 7:15. RH Steve Johnson (0-4, 6.81) will try to turn things around for the Tides opposite RH Julio Teheran (10-1, 1.70).
Gates to tomorrow night’s game will open at 5:00 to accommodate a pre-game concert on the field. Party Fins, a Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band, will play from 5:15-6:45. In addition, Reggy, The Purple Party Dude, will be in attendance to entertain fans throughout the game.
Mud Hens complete sweep of Norfolk
Brian Matusz couldn’t stop the Toledo Mud Hens Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park, and the Norfolk Tides were swept with an 11-3 defeat in front of 5,656 fans.
Matusz (0-3, 4.72) lasted just 3.2 innings, his shortest outing of the year after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits. The former first round draft pick ran into trouble in the 2nd inning after allowing the first three batters to reach base. Ben Guez put the visitors on the board with an RBI single. One out later, Max St. Pierre increased the lead with a bases loaded, RBI single of his own. The Mud Hens added two more runs in the frame on an error by Brendan Harris and a sacrifice fly by Argenis Diaz.
Jake Fox did his best to bring the Tides back, knocking a three-run homer in the 3rd inning that brought the home team to within 5-3, but the troubles for Matusz continued before he was run from the game after allowing an RBI single to Danny Worth in the 4th inning.
Nick Bierbrodt didn’t fare much better in relief of Matusz. Following an RBI single from Guez, Clete Thomas crushed a three-run homer off the bottom of the scoreboard in right-center field that broke the game open for Toledo.
Brayan Villarreal (2-5, 4.68) kept the Tides off balance all afternoon and allowed just three batters to reach scoring position. He lasted 6.0 innings and gave up three runs on five hits.
Will Startup served up a home run to Guez on the first pitch he tossed in the 6th inning. It was the only hit Startup allowed in 2.0 innings. Jose Diaz and Jeremy Accardo each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
The Tides will welcome Gwinnett to town Friday night at 7:15 for the start of a four-game series. RH Mitch Atkins (2-3, 3.11) will take the ball for Norfolk opposite RH Todd Redmond (6-8, 3.24).
The first 2,000 kids 17 & under will receive a Norfolk Tides Baseball Card Set (1-of-3) compliments of John’s Tax Service. Former Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor will also make an appearance to sign autographs for fans throughout the game.
Tides drop 4-3 decision to Toledo
The Norfolk Tides dug themselves an early hole Wednesday night at Harbor Park before falling to the Toledo Mud Hens 4-3 in front of 4,162 fans.
Chris Tillman (3-3, 4.17) nearly didn’t make it out of the 1st inning after surrendering four-straight two-out hits that led to four runs from the visitors. Jeff Salazar put the visitors ahead with an RBI single that plated Argenis Diaz. The Mud Hens added a second run on a double steal that saw Timo Perez successfully steal home after Adam Donachie threw down to second base. Hits by Danny Worth and Clete Thomas added the other two runs for Toledo.
Tillman settled down after the early trouble, retiring 11 consecutive batters before giving up a one-out single in the 6th inning. His night ended after 6.0 innings. He was charged with four runs (three earned) and gave up nine hits. He also struck out four batters and walked one.
As Tillman settled in, the Tides closed the gap. Brandon Snyder scored the home team’s first run on a wild pitch from starter Adam Wilk in the 4th inning. Norfolk added two more runs in the 5th inning on a Jake Fox RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Snyder. The Tides put the tying run in scoring position on five separate occasions after cutting the lead to a run but couldn’t produce a big hit.
Ryan Perry (3-0, 1.69) earned the win in relief after Wilk didn’t go the necessary 5.0 innings to qualify. The reliever tossed 2.0 shutout innings but twice stranded the tying run at second base. He allowed two hits on the night and walked one while striking out two.
Chance Ruffin earned his seventh save of the season by tossing a shaky 9th inning. The closer gave up consecutive singles to leadoff the final frame, but Snyder grounded into a double play that turned the momentum and Robbie Widlansky struck out to the end the game.
The same two teams will play the finale Thursday afternoon at 12:15. LH Brian Matusz (0-2, 2.74) will try to salvage the series for the Tides opposite RH Brayan Villarreal (1-5, 4.70).
A blood drive will be held in the Harbor Park parking lot Thursday from 10:00-3:00. Fans that give blood will be rewarded with a free Tides ticket that can be used anytime this season.
Toledo rolls Tides
Rick VandenHurk gave up two home runs Tuesday night at Harbor Park, and the Norfolk Tides fell 7-1 to the Toledo Mud Hens in front of 5,950 fans.
VandenHurk (5-12, 4.88) pitched well for much of the night before running into trouble in the 7th inning. The pitcher from the Netherlands, who went into the night having allowed nine 7th inning runs in 2.0 innings this year, continued to have bad fortunes in the frame. He gave up a leadoff single to Danny Worth and followed that by hitting Ben Guez with a pitch. Max St. Pierre made VandenHurk pay for the mistake one out later with a three-run homer to left field that gave the visitors a 5-1 lead and ended his night.
The Mud Hens added two more runs in the frame off reliever Will Startup. Making his first appearance with the Tides after being transferred from Delmarva earlier in the day, Startup walked the first two batters he faced and gave up a single to Timo Perez to load the bases. Jeff Salazar then hit a two-out, two-strike single to center field that plated a pair and closed out the scoring.
Fu-Te Ni (5-0, 3.20) wasn’t overpowering during his 7.0 innings on the mound but kept the Tides at bay by making pitches when he needed to. He allowed the Tides leadoff batter to reach base in each of the first four innings but came away surrendering just one run off a Ryan Adams homer in the 1st inning. He allowed eight hits on the night and struck out four batters.
Ryan Strieby put the Mud Hens on the board first with a two-out, two-run homer in the first inning off VandenHurk. The Tides starter then retired 13 of the next 14 batters he faced.
The two clubs will resume their four-game series Wednesday night at 7:15. RH Chris Tillman (3-2, 4.12) will take the ball for the Tides. LH Duane Below (9-4, 3.13) is scheduled to take the ball for Toledo.
Norfolk walks 12 in 9-3 loss to Mud Hens
The Norfolk Tides pitchers had difficulty finding the strike zone Monday night at Harbor Park, and the Toledo Mud Hens walked to a 9-3 win in front of 4,335 fans.
The Tides pitching staff issued a season-high 12 walks on the night, eight of which came in the final three innings of the contest when the visitors pulled away.
Pitching to a 4-3 deficit in the 7th inning, Nick Bierbrodt issued three-straight one-out walks before being relieved in favor of Josh Rupe. Ben Guez greeted Rupe with an RBI single. A double-play off the bat off of Clete Thomas got the Portsmouth native out of the inning, but the Tides found themselves in more trouble in the 8th inning.
Rupe started the frame for the home team and immediately served up a ground rule double to Cale Iorg. Following a walk and a sacrifice bunt, Argenis Diaz increased the lead for Toledo with a single up the middle that scored Iorg. Rupe then loaded the bases by walking Jeff Salazar and followed with another walk to Ryen Strieby that scored a run. Rupe’s night ended one batter later when he gave up a two-run single to Scott Thorman.
The night started ominously for the home team as starting pitcher Steve Johnson gave up three runs on four hits in the first inning. The right-hander settled down from there, giving the Tides a chance to tie the game by retiring 14-of-15 batters before surrendering a leadoff single to Thorman in the 6th inning. Johnson followed by walking Clete Thomas and issuing a single to Cale Iorg that loaded the bases. He was pulled from the game in favor of Bierbrodt who promptly allowed the go-ahead run to score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Jeff Kunkel.
Johnson (0-4, 6.81) was charged with four runs in 5.1 innings. He struck out six batters but walked four.
The Tides came back from their early deficit by scoring a run in the 2nd inning and two in the 5th inning. Newcomer Robbie Widlansky cracked a two-out RBI double that scored Brandon Snyder in the 2nd inning. Jake Fox then collected an RBI single in the 5th inning ahead of Snyder’s sacrifice fly.
Thad Weber (5-6, 5.61) picked up the win by tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just the three runs. He gave up six hits and struck out one batter while walking three.
The 12 walks issued by the Tides were a season high.
The Tides will host Toledo again Tuesday night at Harbor Park. RH Rick VandenHurk (5-11, 4.74) will take the ball opposite LH Fu-Te Ni (4-0, 3.47). First pitch is set for 7:15.
Gates for the game will open at 5:00 as a pre-game concert featuring “Lost Then Found” will run from 5:15-6:45. The concert is a part of the Tides “All Faith Night” presented by Regent University.
Durham silences Tides
Robinson Chirinos delivered the game’s biggest hit, and the Durham Bulls defeated the Norfolk Tides 3-1 Sunday at Harbor Park in front of 3,965 fans.
Nick Bierbrodt served up the hit to the Durham catcher, a two-run double to deep center field that gave the visitors a 2-1 lead in the 6th inning. Bierbrodt had just replaced starter Brian Matusz after Matusz issued a one-out walk to Jose Lobaton that gave the Bulls runners at first and second base.
The Tides had their chances on the afternoon. Norfolk recorded 12 hits but went just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Brendan Harris delivered the lone hit, a one-out RBI single that plated Jake Fox and gave the home team runners at first and second base. Then, with a hit-and-run in place, John Hester lined out to the left fielder who tossed it to second base and easily doubled-off Green. It was one of four double-plays the Tides hit into on the afternoon.
Matusz (0-2, 3.94) took the loss after allowing two runs in 5. 1innings. He allowed six hits and three walks while striking out six batters.
Alex Torres (6-6, 3.30) picked up the win after allowing just the one earned run in 7.0 innings. The lefthander allowed 10 hits on the afternoon but kept the Tides at bay thanks to three inning-ending double plays.
Felipe Lopez added a sacrifice fly in the 7th inning to close out the scoring.
Jay Buente picked up his first save after allowing two hits in 2.0 innings. He struck out two batters.
The Tides will take the next three days off for the All-Star Break. The Triple-A All-Star Game will be played on Wednesday, July 13 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Tides will be represented by closer Mark Worrell.
The Tides will return to action on Thursday, July 14 when they open a four-game series in Gwinnett. The team will return to Harbor Park on Monday, July 18 for an eight-game homestand that features the Toledo MudHens and Gwinnett Braves.
Bulls rally in ninth, beat Tides in extras
The Norfolk Tides gave up five runs in the 9th inning Saturday night at Harbor Park before falling 11-8 to the Durham Bulls in 13 innings, in front of 10,409 fans.
The Tides led 8-3 heading into the 9th inning before the Bulls started to chip away at the lead. The first four batters of the inning reached base off reliever Jeremy Accardo, who went into the night having not allowed a run in 8.0 innings this season with the Tides. Felipe Lopez got it started by reaching on a throwing error by Josh Bell. Consecutive singles followed before Russ Canzler delivered a two-run double for the visitors. Accardo was relieved in favor of Mark Worrell after getting John Matulia to fly out, but Robinson Chirinos greeted the Tides All-Star with an RBI double down the line. J.J. Furmaniak, pinch-running for Chirinos, came around to score on an RBI single by Leslie Anderson to tie the game.
Durham used consecutive singles off Josh Rupe in the 13th inning to score three times. Matulia tried to push both runners up a bag with a sacrifice bunt, but instead reached second base when Rupe’s throw to first base sailed into right field. The errant throw allowed Lobaton to score. Canzler came around to score moments later on a wild pitch by Rupe. Matulia then scored on a sacrifice fly from Furmaniak.
Rupe (2-3, 6.40) allowed three runs (two earned) during his season-high 4.0 innings on the mound.
The Tides jumped ahead in the game with a five-run 3rd inning that seemingly put away the Bulls. Trailing 2-1 to begin the frame, Josh Bell led off with a solo home run to right field. The next three Tides batters reached to load the bases, setting the stage for Nick Green’s sacrifice fly that put the home team ahead. Brendan Harris followed with a two-run double. Matt Angle added an RBI infield single as well.
Rob Delaney (3-1, 2.13) picked up the win by tossing 2.0 scoreless frames. He allowed just one hit and struck out three batters.
Steve Johnson tossed 5.0 innings for the Tides and was in line to win his first game with Norfolk before the late collapse. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. He also walked five batters.
Angle continued his hot-stretch with a 2-for-5 performance. He added a second RBI in the 8th inning.
Ryan Adams, Jake Fox and Brandon Snyder each added three hits for the Tides. The team produced 18 hits, one night after recording a season-best 19 hits.
Bell had four throwing errors on the night, tying a Tides Triple-A record. Sergio Ferrer made four errors for the Tides on April 18, 1979.
The two clubs will finish out the first-half of the season Sunday with a 1:15 p.m. game. LH Brian Matusz (0-1, 4.22) will take the ball opposite LH Alex Torres (5-6, 3.47). The first 4,000 fans to enter the park will receive a full-color photo of Tides catcher John Hester compliments of Bank of the Commonwealth and ESPN Radio 94.1.
Tide blasts Knights
The Norfolk Tides paid homage to the Independence Weekend Sunday night at Harbor Park by lighting up the scoreboard in an 11-7 win over the Charlotte Knights in front of 8,853 fans.
John Hester put the Tides ahead with a three-run homer in the second inning. Trailing 3-0 to start the frame, the Tides loaded the bases with no outs on two hits and a walk. Nick Green put the home team on the board with an RBI fielder’s choice before John Hester launched a Deunte Heath offering into the left field picnic area.
The Tides put up another four spot in the third inning thanks to another home run, this one from Brendan Harris. Rhyne Hughes got the big inning started by reaching on a dropped third strike and moved to second base when Jake Fox was hit by a pitch. Snyder followed with the first of his three RBI on the night, an RBI single. Tyler Henson then delivered an RBI single of his own ahead of the blast from Harris that gave the home team an 8-4 lead.
The Knights got off to a hot start of their own. Alejandro De Aza led off the game with a home run that landed in the Tides bullpen. The Knights added two more runs in the second inning off a two-run homer by Jordan Danks that gave the Knights a 3-0 lead. Trailing 4-3 in the third inning, De Aza led off the frame with his second home run to tie the game at 4-4.
Snyder added solo home runs in the fifth and seventh inning to increase the Tides advantage. The four home runs hit by the Tides tied a season best for the club. They also hit four home runs against Charlotte on April 18.
Fighting a strong wind to left field, Chris Tillman (3-2, 4.54) labored through 5.0 innings to pick up the win. He gave up five runs on seven hits, three of which went for home runs.
Knights starter Deunte Heath (2-4, 5.73) was charged with nine runs on eight hits in a losing effort. The righthander struck out eight batters on the night.
Matt Angle continued his hot stretch, going 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Nick Bierbrodt tossed 1.2 innings of relief and allowed a run on two hits. Jeremy Accardo earned his second hold in as many nights after throwing 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Mark Worrell’s streak of 11.0 scoreless innings came to end when he allowed a ninth inning RBI double to Danks. The All-Star closer allowed just the one run in his 1.0 innings of work.
The Tides will travel to Charlotte Monday night for a 7:30 game. The game was originally scheduled for 7:15 but was pushed back to accommodate pre-game festivities. RH Steve Johnson (0-2, 8.49) will get the start for the Tides opposite RH Matt Zaleski (1-4, 7.47).
The Tides will return to Harbor Park on Saturday, July 9 for a two-game series with Durham. The first 2,000 kids 17 & under to enter Harbor Park on July 9 will receive a Tides youth replica jersey compliments of Coke Zero and Fox 43.
Tides earn doubleheader split
Matt Angle got the Norfolk Tides off to a fast start in game two of Saturday night’s double-header, and the Tides earned a split with a 4-0 win over the Charlotte Knights in front of 7,260 fans at Harbor Park
The speedy outfielder, who grounded out to end game one of the double-header, led off game two with a home run off Jhonny Nunez. Angle finished the night a combined 2-for-7 with a home run and is now hitting .315 (52-for-165) with 18 RBI since May 20.
That was all the run support Tides starter Troy Patton needed. Patton (4-1, 2.06) continued his home dominance, allowing no earned runs in 5.0 innings. The lefty lowered his home ERA to 0.40. He has allowed just one run in 22.2 innings this season at Harbor Park.
Jhonny Nunez (2-1, 3.66) took the loss after pitching just 2.0 innings for the Knights. He gave up just the one hit to Angle while walking two and striking out three.
Ryan Adams added two doubles for the Tides, including one in the third inning that scored John Hester for the Tides second run. Adams came around to score in the sixth inning after hitting his second double. Brandon Snyder plated the second baseman with a sacrifice fly
Rhyne Hughes scored the Tides final run on a wild pitch by Gregory Infante in the sixth inning.
Jeremy Accardo and Mark Worrell each tossed a perfect inning of relief to close out the game. Accardo earned a hold for his effort.
The two clubs will play the series finale Sunday at 6:15 p.m. RH Chris Tillman (2-2, 3.82) will try to close out the homestand in style for the Tides opposite RH Deunte Heath (2-3, 4.68). A spectacular post-game fireworks display will follow the game.
Tides rally comes up short
The Norfolk Tides nearly came all the way back from a 9-0 deficit Friday night at Harbor Park before falling to the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees 9-7 in front of 7,496 fans.
Trailing 9-2 in the seventh inning, the Tides put the first three batters on base with two singles and a walk that ran Scranton Wilkes-Barre starter Kel Igawa from the game. Eric Wordekemper retired the first two batters he faced before Tyler Henson lined a single up the middle that scored Matt Angle. Ryan Adams nearly scored on the play from second base, but his run was wiped from the board when Rhyne Hughes was tagged out at third base to end the frame just before Adams crossed the plate.
The Tides added four more runs in the eighth inning, but had a chance to score more. Hughes and Fox hit consecutive two-out RBI singles that moved the score to 9-5. Brandon Snyder followed with an RBI single down the left field line, but the first baseman was caught in a rundown after trying to take second base, and Fox couldn’t score before Snyder was tagged out to end the inning.
The Yankees jumped all over Tides starter Chris George in the first inning, scoring three times before the lefthander retired a batter. Jesus Montero delivered the big blow with a two-run double that plated Dan Brewer and Jordan Parraz. Montero later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Brandon Laird.
The Yankees put up four more runs in the fourth inning before running George from the game. The visitors loaded the bases with no outs on an error by Nick Green and consecutive singles. Austin Krum followed with a sacrifice fly ahead of back-to-back RBI singles by Parraz and Montero. Terry Tiffee, who had an RBI single an inning earlier, plated Parraz with a sacrifice fly.
George (3-4, 4.79) lasted just 3.1 innings and gave up nine runs (seven earned) on seven hits. He walked three batters and struck out none before handing the game over to Cole McCurry.
McCurry kept the visitors at bay. He tossed 3.2 innings of shutout baseball and allowed just two hits. Mark Hendrickson added 2.0 innings of scoreless baseball.
Igawa (1-0, 2.78) labored through 6.0 innings despite being staked to a big lead. He was charged with just three runs but allowed six hits and issued five walks.
The Tides will welcome the Charlotte Knights to Harbor Park Saturday night for a double-header. RH Rick VandenHurk (5-8, 4.64) is scheduled to take the ball in game one against RH Dylan Axlerod (0-0, 1.37). Starters for game two have not yet been announced. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:15. Both games will be seven inning contests. A spectacular fireworks display will follow the conclusion of the second game.
Tides take another from Yankees
The Norfolk Tides scored four runs in the third inning inning Thursday and downed the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees 7-3 in front of 6,008 fans at Harbor Park.
Batting with one out and the bases loaded in a 2-0 ballgame, Rhyne Hughes helped prolong the third inning with his legs. The right fielder hit a sharp ground ball to second base and barely beat out the throw at first, preventing an inning-ending double play and allowing the Tides first run to cross the plate. Brandon Snyder followed with a game-tying RBI single ahead of Ryan Adams’s two-run double that gave the home team the lead for good.
Mitch Atkins (2-3, 3.11) cruised through most of his 6.0 innings on the hill. The righthander allowed just two runs on three hits, all of which came in the second inning. Jesus Montero led off the second inning with a solo home run. Mike Lamb followed with a triple to deep right field, and Brandon Laird knocked him in with a single to left field. Atkins calmed down from there and faced the minimum number of batters in each of the next four innings, despite issuing two walks and hitting a batter.
Adam Warren (6-3, 3.09) lasted 5.0 innings in a losing effort. He was charged with four runs on six hits before ceding the game to Andrew Brackman.
Matt Angle added his third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth inning off Brackman. Brandon Snyder closed out the scoring with an RBI double in the seventh inning.
Three Tides pitchers combined to toss the final 3.0 innings with the only blemish coming on a solo home run by Lamb off Josh Rupe in the seventh inning.
The Tides will go for the sweep Friday night against the Yankees. LH Chris George (3-3, 4.10) gets the ball for Norfolk while Scranton Wilkes-Barre will counter with LH Kel Igawa (0-0, 2.16). A spectacular fireworks show will follow the 7:15 game.
