IL1 Norfolk Tides

Doyle's Start Foiled by Tides' Mistakes

Published on August 19, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


Norfolk got a strong start from Terry Doyle, but Columbus took advantage of some late Tides miscues in a 4-3 win Wednesday night at Harbor Park.

With the score knotted at 3-3 in the ninth, Columbus' James Ramsey ignited the game-winning rally with a one-out single to left field off of Richard Rodriguez (1-2). Tides left fielder Junior Lake overran the ball though, allowing Ramsey to move to second on the error. Ramsey then advanced to third on a balk by Rodriguez before coming around to score on a bloop single to center field by Anthony Gallas that gave the Clippers a one-run advantage.

Norfolk threatened to tie the game in the last of the ninth, as Christian Walker and Dariel Alvarez worked consecutive two-out walks from Carlos Marmol (2-1). Marmol rebounded to strike out Sean Halton, however, ending the threat and giving Columbus the victory in the opener of the three-game set.

The game had been tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, but the Clippers put together a rally against Rodriguez to take the lead. Tyler Naquin opened the frame with a single to center - his fourth hit of the game - before being sacrificed to second on a bunt by Erik Gonzalez. Jesus Aguilar then belted a two-run home run into the left field picnic area on a 1-2 pitch for his 15th homer of the season to give the Clippers a 3-1 advantage.

Norfolk rallied back in the bottom of the eighth frame thanks to a wild outing by Trey Haley, as the Columbus reliever uncorked two wild pitches, a walk and a throwing error in the inning to help the Tides knot the score at 3-3.

Doyle turned in a tremendous outing but did not factor in the decision, as he allowed one run on five hits over seven innings of work. Doyle, who entered play tied among all pitchers in Minor League Baseball with 14 victories this season, walked one and struck out seven as he lowered his ERA to 2.96 in four outings with the Tides since being promoted from Double-A Bowie. The Boston College product allowed a first inning run on a double play groundout by Aguilar but rebounded to face just five batters over the minimum over his final six innings of work.

Norfolk outhit the Clippers eleven to nine in the contest but finished 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The two clubs continue their three-game series Thursday night at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 7:05. Left-hander Chris Jones (8-6, 2.85) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by southpaw Ryan Merritt (0-0, 4.50). On Thursday, the first 2,000 fans 17 and under will receive the third of three sets of Tides baseball cards, courtesy of John's Tax Service and WSKY-4 TV.

Notes: Earlier Wednesday, the Orioles signed LHP Mike Belfiore to a free agent contract and assigned him to Norfolk. Belfiore, who previously pitched for the Tides in 2013, was 5-11 with a 5.60 ERA in 22 starts for Toledo this season...Dariel Alvarez singled in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to seven straight games, over which he's hit .333 (10-30)...Julio Borbon singled in the first inning and has now hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games...Junior Lake doubled twice...Sharlon Schoop tied his season-high with three hits.

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International League Stories from August 19, 2015


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