Hays Spearheads Tides Offense in 11-2 Victory
September 1, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Austin Hays had three hits and two RBI to lead a 14-hit attack as the Tides rolled to an 11-2 win over the Charlotte Knights Sunday night at Harbor Park.
Hays singled in the first, doubled and scored in the fourth, then doubled home a pair of runs during a six-run fifth to help the Tides win for the third time in the last four contests. The 24-year-old outfielder, who is ranked as the #6 prospect in the Orioles system, has now hit safely in 23 of his last 27 games, batting .309 with five home runs, three doubles and 11 RBI over that stretch.
Every Tides starter hit safely in the contest, while eight different Norfolk players registered an RBI. Ademar Rifaela doubled twice and drove in two, while Ryan Mountcastle and Zach Vincej each added two hits and an RBI.
Norfolk starter Tom Eshelman (3-2) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, although he didn't need much support. Eshelman limited the Knights to a two-run homer by Luis Robert over seven strong innings, striking out a season-high eight without walking a batter. The 25-year-old right-hander retired all seven batters he faced after allowing Robert's home run, with five of those seven batters being retired by strikeout.
With the loss, Charlotte dropped into a tie with Durham atop the International League Wild Card standings heading into Monday's season finale. Durham holds the tiebreaker, so Charlotte needs to win on Monday and have Durham lose vs. Gwinnett to advance to the International League postseason.
The Tides will conclude their season on Monday afternoon at Harbor Park, with first pitch set for 1:05. Dean Kremer (0-2, 10.05) gets the start for Norfolk, with airtime on ESPN Radio 94.1 scheduled for 12:50 pm.
Notes: The Tides wore their Pajaritos de Norfolk uniforms as part of Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversion...Mason Williams has hit safely in 47 of his last 56 games...Norfolk doubled six times in the contest, upping the season total to 268 doubles this season - just two shy of matching the franchise record of 270 set during the 2005 season...Norfolk is 18-11 since August 1st.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from September 1, 2019
- Syracuse Keeps Playoff Hope Alive with 7-3 Win against Rochester - Syracuse Mets
- Wings Out-"Hustled" by Mets - Rochester Red Wings
- Hays Spearheads Tides Offense in 11-2 Victory - Norfolk Tides
- Louisville's Bats Too Much for Indians in 8-2 Loss - Indianapolis Indians
- Knights Fall to Tides 11-2 on Sunday - Charlotte Knights
- Mashers Crush Indians, 8-2 - Louisville Bats
- Mud Hens Shutout at Home to Division Rival - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bulls Clinch Playoff Spot with Win Monday Afternoon - Durham Bulls
- Slegers Leads Bulls to Crucial Victory - Durham Bulls
- Stripers Stifled by Slegers, Durham in 3-1 Loss - Gwinnett Stripers
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre outlasts Buffalo in a game that features 27 runs, 27 hits and 41 baserunners - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bisons Fall 15-12 in Slugfest to RailRiders - Buffalo Bisons
- Straily Stymies PawSox on Sunday Afternoon - Pawtucket Red Sox
- IronPigs snag series win against PawSox - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Game Notes: Indianapolis Indians (65-73) at Louisville Bats (58-80) - Louisville Bats
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (65-73) at Louisville Bats (58-80) - Indianapolis Indians
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Louisville Mashers/Bats Homestand Notes: September 1 & 2 - Louisville Bats
- Encarnacion and Severino Join SWB on MLB Rehab - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (1:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.