Drabek Throws Charlotte past Tides
Published on July 11, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
The Charlotte Knights pounded out 13 hits and got a strong outing from Kyle Drabek in a 10-2 win over the Tides Saturday night at Harbor Park.
Catcher Kevan Smith had four hits and four RBI to lead Charlotte's offense, as four different Knights batters registered multiple hits in the contest.
Norfolk starter T.J. McFarland (2-3) took the loss after yielding four runs - two earned - on five hits in 4.1 innings of work. Making his second start with the Tides since being optioned from Baltimore on June 28, McFarland walked one and struck out three while throwing 46 of his 77 pitches for strikes.
Drabek (5-5) earned the win for the Knights as he allowed two runs - one earned - on just two hits over six solid innings. Drabek yielded an RBI fielder's choice by Christian Walker and a run-scoring single to Sean Halton in the first frame but settled down after that, not allowing a hit over his next five innings of work. The 27-year-old right-hander struck out six and lowered his ERA to 2.56 - third-best in the International League this season.
Rey Navarro had two of Norfolk's four hits, while Michael Almanzar singled in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Over that seven-game stretch, Almanzar has hit .385 (10-26) with one home run and five RBI.
With the setback, Norfolk's lead over the Knights in the IL South division now stands at a half-game.
The two clubs wrap up the first half of the season Sunday evening at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 6:05. Kevin Gausman (0-0, 0.00) is scheduled to make his second start of the season with the Tides and will be opposed by RHP Scott Carroll (3-2, 2.37).
Sunday night is Old Dominion University night at Harbor Park, with former ODU great and current Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore scheduled to appear to meet fans and sign autographs on the concourse, courtesy of HyVal Industries. The first 4,000 fans will also receive a collectible photo of Tides All-Star outfielder Dariel Alvarez, courtesy of Johnny Rockets and 97.3 The Eagle.
Notes: Henry Urrutia led off the game with a walk and has now reached base safely in 21 consecutive games at Harbor Park...With a win Sunday, Norfolk would enter the break with a 51-38 record, which would be its best since becoming an Orioles affiliate in 2007...Making his 10th rehab appearance with Norfolk, LHP Wesley Wright allowed four runs on five hits in 1.2 innings of relief...Steve Clevenger had his hitting streak snapped at six games...Sharlon Schoop pitched the ninth inning for the Tides - the first position player to make an appearance on the mound for Norfolk since Alexi Casilla on August 24, 2014.
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