Gwinnett Scores Win Over Norfolk
August 8, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Norfolk starter Mike Wright (2-3) was victimized by the long ball as he allowed six runs on eight hits over six innings of work. He struck out two and issued just one walk, but yielded a three-run homer to Rio Ruiz in the first inning and a two-out, two-run shot by Reid Brignac in the sixth frame. Wright threw 64 of his 89 pitches for strikes and now owns a 3.21 ERA through nine starts with the Tides this season.
Brignac's two-run homer gave the Braves a 6-4 lead they carried into the ninth inning, but Norfolk nearly tied the contest in the final frame against reliever Bradley Roney. Trey Mancini opened the ninth with a single, and one out later Corban Joseph worked a walk to put runners on first and second. After Roney uncorked a wild pitch to put runners on second and third, Audry Pérez lined a single to center to pull the Tides within 6-5. Mike Yastrzemski then worked a walk to load the bases with one out, but Roney escaped further damage by retiring Michael Almanzar on a force out and Paul Janish on a pop out, ending the threat and giving the Braves the win in the opener of the three-game set.
Almanzar had a two-run triple to pace Norfolk's offense, while Dariel Álvarez added two hits and an RBI in the setback. Janish and Christian Walker each added two hits and a run scored for Norfolk, which dropped to 5.0 games behind Gwinnett and Durham in the division with the loss.
Making his Triple-A debut, Carlos Portuondo (1-0) earned the victory by throwing 4.2 shutout innings of relief. Portuondo allowed four hits and a walk while striking out two as he helped Gwinnett improve to 15-3 against the Tides this season.
The two clubs will continue their three-game set on Tuesday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 7:05. Tyler Wilson (1-0, 5.23) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by right-hander Kanekoa Texeira (1-6, 4.83).
On Tuesday, fans are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes as Harbor Park is turned into a family-friendly celebration of all things dark and spooky. Kids ages 12 and under will be able to go trick-or-treating on the Harbor Park concourse, courtesy of Echoes of Time.
Notes: The Tides wore throwback Norfolk Tars uniforms in the contest as part of Turn Back The Clock Night...Gwinnett's Rio Ruiz finished a triple short of the cycle, falling just shy of becoming the first batter to hit for the cycle against the Tides since Indianapolis' Jason Conti accomplished the feat on July 10, 2003...Norfolk went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base... Audry Pérez' ninth inning single extended his hitting streak to nine games.
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