IL Norfolk Tides

Bats Come To Life In Tides' Win Over Durham

Published on May 2, 2023 under International League (IL)
Norfolk Tides News Release


NORFOLK, VA --- The Norfolk Tides (20-7) defeated the Durham Bulls (16-11), 12-8, on Tuesday night at Harbor Park. A total of 20 runs were scored between both teams as the Tides emerged victorious in the slugfest.

Shortly after Bruce Zimmermann retired the side in order to open tonight's game, the Tides quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead with Colton Cowser belting a 1-0 pitch the other way for a two-run home run that bounced off the left field foul pole.

Another quick inning from Zimmermann gave way to the Norfolk bats, and Shayne Fontana took advantage by depositing a ball over the right-center field wall for a solo shot that extended the Tides lead to 3-0 in the second inning.

With men in scoring position in the top half of the third, Osleivis Basabe knocked in a pair of runners to bring the score to 3-2. The Tides would bounce right back in the home half of the frame with Cowser striking for an RBI double that was followed by a Josh Lester sacrifice fly and a Joey Ortiz RBI single to put Norfolk up 6-2.

A sharp line drive to right field off the bat of Ruben Cardenas cut the Norfolk lead in half in the fourth. Both sides put up a run in the fifth, but Durham brought themselves within one run of the Norfolk lead as a double followed by a fielding error and a wild pitch allowed two runs to score in the inning with the Tides still holding the 7-6 lead.

Two Durham batters reached on walks in the seventh, allowing the Bulls to tie the game with a two-out double to right-center. The Tides responded with a five-run inning capped by a three-run home run from Ortiz, his first of the year. Despite allowing another Durham run, the Tides would go on to close out the game with a 12-8 win.

Norfolk looks to maintain their perfect record against the Bulls this season tomorrow night. Scheduled to start for the Tides is LHP Drew Rom (3-1, 3.55) and he will go up against RHP Elvin Rodriguez (2-2, 2.77) who is expected to make the start for Durham.

POSTGAME NOTES

Holy Cowser: Extending his on-base streak to 22 games tonight was Colton Cowser, where he went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and three RBI...he currently owns the longest on-base streak in the International League is the longest overall this season...in that span (since April 5), he's hitting .358 (29-for-81) with 27 runs, six doubles, a triple, five home runs, 20 RBI, 20 walks, a hit-by-pitch and is slashing .500/.642/1.142.

Fantastic Fontana: With a solo blast in the second inning tonight, Shayne Fontana has now homered in back-to-back games...the bomb is his second on the year as he also collected his 100th career minor league RBI in that at-bat.

Scoring In Bunches: With 12 runs tonight, the Tides have now scored at least 10 runs in six games this season, winning each of those games...they have scored a total of 200 runs on the year which ranks first among International League Teams.

Check out the Norfolk Tides Statistics

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International League Stories from May 2, 2023


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