Norfolk Swamped
April 13, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Christian Walker and Dariel Alvarez both extended their hitting streaks to six games, but Charlotte used a big first inning to roll past the Tides 8-1 Wednesday afternoon at Harbor Park.
Walker drove home Norfolk's lone run with an eighth inning single, while Alvarez singled in the second inning to continue his hot start to the 2016 campaign. Walker has batted .364 (8-22) with two home runs and seven RBI thus far, while Alvarez has hit .320 (8-25) with two RBI.
Charlotte wasted little time in jumping on Norfolk starter Odrisamer Despaigne (0-2), as the Knights strung together five consecutive two-out hits in the first inning to take a 5-0 lead. Jason Coats started the scoring with an RBI double, and Daniel Fields followed with a two-run single to extend Charlotte's early cushion. Kevan Smith then lofted an opposite-field two-run homer to put the Knights up 5-0.
Charlotte extended its lead to 7-0 in the fourth inning on a two-out single by Carlos Sanchez.
Making his second start of the year, Despaigne yielded seven runs on nine hits over 4.0 innings of work. He walked one and struck out five, throwing 45 of his 76 pitches for strikes. Each of the seven runs he allowed came with two outs.
The early offense was more than enough for Charlotte starter Chris Volstad (1-0), who limited the Tides to just two hits over six shutout innings. Volstad walked one and struck out one and needed just 68 pitches to navigate his economic outing.
With the loss, Norfolk wrapped up its opening six-game homestand with a 2-4 record.
The Tides take to the road Thursday night for the start of seven-game, two-city road trip with a 7:05 game at Gwinnett. Nick Additon (0-0, 4.50) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by right-hander Aaron Blair (1-0, 4.50).
Notes: After yielding five runs in the first inning Wednesday, Norfolk has been outscored 13-1 in the first frame this season...Norfolk debut its orange "N" anchor uniforms in the contest...Andy Oliver allowed two hits over three shutout innings of relief...All six of Norfolk's base hits were singles...All nine runs scored in the contest came with two outs...Zach Phillips struck out the side in the ninth inning and has registered seven strikeouts in 3.0 innings this season.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from April 13, 2016
- Toledo Offense Stalled by Indy in Loss - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bats Sweep Doubleheader at Columbus, 5-4, 6-1 - Louisville Bats
- Chiefs Outlast Bisons, 3-2, in Marathon - Buffalo Bisons
- Walk-Off Win for Wings - Rochester Red Wings
- Sizemore, Voth Lead Chiefs to Walkoff Win - Syracuse Mets
- Three-Run 9th Costs Pigs in 7-6 Loss - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- G-Braves Surge Past Bulls, 6-2 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Haynes, Pinder Combine to Blank PawSox - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Fulmer Shuts Down Indians in Mud Hens Debut - Toledo Mud Hens
- Scranton Outduels Owens and PawSox, 1-0, for Sweep - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Norfolk Swamped - Norfolk Tides
- G-Braves Down Bulls in Rubber Match, 6-2 - Durham Bulls
- Upcoming Home Games & Promos: April 14-23 - Louisville Bats
- Blue Jays Recall Bisons SHP Pat Venditte - Buffalo Bisons
- Pigs Look for Sweep of Red Wings - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Opening Homestand Highlights - Louisville Bats
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo at Syracuse (1:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
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.
