IL1 Norfolk Tides

Birkins, relief blank Yanks, 2-0

May 17, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


Kurt Birkins picked up his first win in a Norfolk uniform, tossing seven shutout innings in a 2-0 win for the Tides on Thursday afternoon.

Birkins (1-1) yielded just three hits without walking a batter, striking out seven. The southpaw faced just three hitters over the minimum, lowering his ERA to 2.70.

The Tides plated all the runs they would need in the third inning, as Eider Torres lined a one-out double into left field and scored one batter later on a single by Tike Redman. After a groundout moved Redman to second, J.R. House lined a single into left field, plating Redman and giving the Tides a 2-0 lead.

That was more than enough for Birkins, who never faced more than four batters in an inning. The 26-year-old threw 86 pitches, 58 for strikes.

Steve Green relieved Birkins and pitched a scoreless 8th inning, and Cory Doyne worked around a leadoff walk in the 9th inning to register his 10th save of the season.

Sean Henn (0-1) took the loss for Scranton, allowing two runs on three hits in two innings of work. Henn took over for starter Tyler Clippard, who was pulled from the game after striking out the side in the first inning.

The Tides and Yankees conclude their season series Friday night, with right-hander Tim Kester (2-3, 5.11) taking the hill for Norfolk against Scranton righty Steven Jackson (3-3, 4.89). Friday is Armed Forces Night, with fireworks to follow the game, presented by Hardees.

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International League Stories from May 17, 2007


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