Columbus 9, Norfolk 2
July 27, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Columbus got an outstanding start from local product Shawn Morimando and pounded out 10 hits to cruise to a 9-2 win over the Tides Wednesday night at Harbor Park.
Morimando (2-1), who attended Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, scattered five hits over 6.2 shutout innings to help the Clippers snap Norfolk's three-game winning streak. The 23-year-old, who was drafted by Cleveland in the 19th round of the 2011 draft, struck out three and walked two while throwing 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes. He faced just five batters over the minimum to lower his ERA to 2.88 through four starts with Columbus this season.
The Clippers got to Norfolk starter David Hale (1-6) early, as Columbus plated single runs in the second and third frames before chasing Hale from the contest with a three-run fourth. Hale allowed five runs on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings, striking out four. He threw 46 of his 82 pitches for strikes as he saw his ERA through 13 starts with Norfolk rise to 5.71.
Jesus Aguilar had two doubles and three RBI to help pace the Clippers, while Eric Stamets added a three-run triple in the seventh inning that helped break the game open. Yandy Diaz also added two hits in the contest to raise his average to .341, tops in the International League.
Norfolk plated both of its runs in the ninth inning, as Austin Wynns hit a pinch-hit RBI double and later came around to score on a pinch-hit single from Dariel Alvarez. The hit for Wynns was his first at the Triple-A level, while Alvarez' RBI knock extended his hitting streak to 12 games - the longest by a Tides player this season.
The two clubs will meet in the rubber match of the series on Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 12:05. Joe Gunkel (5-9, 4.34) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by right-hander Toru Murata (5-1, 3.71).
Notes : Earlier Wednesday, outfielder Dariel Alvarez was activated to Norfolk's roster after he was optioned from Baltimore on Monday...Richard Rodriguez struck out four over 2.1 shutout innings of relief, retiring the final seven batters he faced...The Tides have not homered over the first six games of the current homestand...Xavier Avery walked three times in the contest.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from July 27, 2016
- Bulls Score Four in 6th En Route to Sweep of Hens - Toledo Mud Hens
- Scott, Mendez and Hembree Combine to Shut out Wings - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Columbus 9, Norfolk 2 - Norfolk Tides
- Bats Complete Sweep to Finish Homestand, 4-0 - Louisville Bats
- Gwinnett 2, Indianapolis 1 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Gillaspie, Robertson Lead Durham to Sweep - Durham Bulls
- Vogelsong's Gem Spoiled by Two Solo Homers - Indianapolis Indians
- IronPigs Rally to Top Chiefs, 6-4 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Carlos Sanchez Recalled to Chicago - Charlotte Knights
- 7.27.16 RailRiders Post Second Straight Shutout - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bisons Swept Once More by RailRaiders - Buffalo Bisons
- Chiefs Swept by IronPigs in Wednesday Finale - Syracuse Mets
- IronPigs Look for Sweep of Chiefs - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
