IL Worcester Red Sox

Gambrell Shines in Polar Park Debut, WooSox Fall 4-0 to Norfolk

Published on August 31, 2023 under International League (IL)
Worcester Red Sox News Release


WORCESTER, M.A. - The Worcester Red Sox (31-22, 70-58) lost a third game in a row for the first time since July 3, a 4-0 defeat against the Norfolk Tides (31-23, 79-49) on Thursday night at Polar Park.

WooSox starter Grant Gambrell was strong in his Polar Park debut, posting the following line: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. Despite taking the loss, the right-hander has 1.69 ERA over two Triple-A appearances.

Norfolk got its runs against Gambrell on one swing, a fifth-inning two-run home run by Maverick Handley, opening the scoring.

Justin Hagenman followed Gambrell out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and retiring six of the seven he faced.

Ryan Fernandez had the eighth, a frame that began with an error. Connor Norby followed with a double, and after a strikeout, Joey Ortiz broke the game wide open, smashing a two-run double down the left field line.

Fernandez would get the final two outs, including a strikeout to close the frame, one of 14 strikeouts on the night for Worcester pitching.

Norby's swing made it 4-0, the final two runs of the night as the WooSox' home record dropped to 39-28.

Offensively, Worcester mustered three hits and eight total baserunners, stranded seven and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Bobby Dalbec had two of the team's three hits.

John Means, on a Major League rehab, got the victory for the Tides, tossing five shutout innings of one-hit ball.

The WooSox continue the six-game series on Friday night at 6:45 p.m. at Polar Park against the Norfolk Tides, affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. On the mound, Bruce Zimmerman (3-6, 3.72) is the scheduled starter for Norfolk. Television coverage is on NESN+, while radio coverage is live on 98.9 Nash Icon and the WooSox Radio Network.

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International League Stories from August 31, 2023


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