IL1 Norfolk Tides

Early runs allow Rochester to hold on

Published on May 21, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


Rochester plated four first inning runs, then held off a Tides rally to pick up a 5-4 win on Monday night.

The Red Wings jumped out to a big first inning lead off of Norfolk starter Rob Bell (1-2), scoring four runs with two outs. Garrett Jones put the Red Wings up 2-0 with a two-run home run, and Jose Morales and Trent Oeltjen each added RBI singles as Rochester batted around in the inning.

The Tides began to chip away at the lead in the second inning, as Mike Cervenak led off the inning with an infield single and scored on a single by Virginia Beach native Jason Dubois.

Norfolk continued their rally in the 4th inning, plating three runs to tie the score at 4-4 off of Red Wings' starter Brian Bass. Cervenak led off the inning with a walk, and advanced to second on a single by Terry Tiffee. One out later, Cesar Crespo drew a walk to load the bases, and Luis Montanez followed with a ground ball that eluded Rochester shortstop Tommy Watkins and bounded into center field, pulling the Tides within 4-3. Alberto Castillo followed with a line drive single into center field, chasing Bass and tying the score at 4-4.

Rochester plated the decisive run of the contest in the 6th inning, courtesy of an error by Tides' centerfielder Tike Redman. With one out and nobody on, Morales lifted a fly ball to medium-deep center field, but Redman had the ball glance off his glove for a two-base error. Matt Moses followed with a single into center field, plating Morales and giving the Red Wings the lead.

The Tides were held scoreless after the 4th inning, courtesy of strong relief pitching by Carmen Cali and Bobby Korecky. Cali (2-0) picked up the win, facing the minimum number of batters over 3.2 innings of relief, while Korecky escaped a bases loaded jam in the 8th inning before retiring the Tides in order in the 9th to pick up his 9th save of the season.

Bell suffered through the first inning, but turned in another strong outing for the Tides despite taking the loss. Starting with the third out of the first inning, the 30-year-old right-hander retired 11 straight batters through the 5th inning, and finished his outing with three earned runs allowed in 7.0 innings of work. Bell allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out six.

Tiffee, Montanez and J.R. house each finished with two hits apiece for Norfolk.

The Tides and Red Wings conclude their season series on Tuesday afternoon, with southpaw Kurt Birkins (1-1, 2.70) taking the hill for Norfolk against Rochester right-hander Matt Garza (2-3, 4.07). First pitch from Harbor Park is set for 12:15.

Check out the Norfolk Tides Statistics

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International League Stories from May 21, 2007


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