Slam, Offense Carry Tides
June 19, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Ozzie Martinez' grand slam highlighted a 16-hit attack as Norfolk completed a sweep of the Durham Bulls with a 10-6 win Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park.
With the Tides leading the contest 4-2 in the fifth, Norfolk loaded the bases with two outs against Durham starter Adam Wilk (2-7) before Martinez belted an 0-1 offering deep over the left field wall. It was the first home run of the season for Martinez and was the first grand slam hit by a Tides player since Sean Halton did so on July 5, 2015 at Durham.
Martinez finished the contest with three hits, helping give Norfolk a three-game series sweep of the Bulls. The victory improved the Tides to 5-1 over their last six games, as Norfolk has outscored its opponents 23-11 while posting a 1.87 ERA over that stretch.
Joe Gunkel (4-4) was the beneficiary of the offensive output as he picked up his fourth win of the season. He allowed two runs on three hits over five innings of work, walking two and striking out three while throwing 52 of his 89 pitches for strikes. Over his last six starts, Gunkel has now gone 4-2 with a 1.92 ERA (8 ER, 37.1 IP) while holding opponents to a .187 average (25-134).
Dariel Alvarez had three hits and an RBI in the win, upping his hitting streak to seven games. The three hits gave him 270 in his Norfolk career, surpassing the 269 posted by Brandon Snyder for the most by a Tides player since Norfolk became an Orioles affiliate in 2007.
Trey Mancini added three hits in the win, while Michael Almanzar added two hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly.
The Tides continue their homestand Monday night as they welcome the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to Harbor Park for the start of a four-game series. T.J. McFarland (1-1, 1.69) is set to make the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by left-hander Anthony Vasquez (0-0, 8.31), with first pitch set for 7:05.
Notes: Norfolk's three-game winning streak is a season-high...The 10-run output was Norfolk's highest since a 20-run outburst on April 19 at Charlotte...Chris O'Brien had two hits, two walks, two runs and an RBI...Norfolk has won consecutive series for the second time this season...Norfolk improved to 8-5 against Durham this season.
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International League Stories from June 19, 2016
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