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.
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