IL1 Norfolk Tides

Norfolk Falters Early, Loses 11-5

Published on April 9, 2016 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


Christian Walker homered and drove in three, but Gwinnett used two early home runs and a solid outing from their starting pitcher to cruise to an 11-5 win over the Tides Saturday night at Harbor Park.

Walker, who led the Tides with 18 home runs last season, belted a two-run shot into left-center field in the sixth inning for his first round tripper of the 2016 campaign. The 25-year-old added an RBI double in the eighth inning, and has now hit safely in each of the first three contests of the season, batting .417 (5-12).

The Braves wasted no time in jumping on Tides starter Todd Redmond (0-1), as Gwinnett sent 10 men to the plate in a seven-run first inning. Matt Tuiasosopo and Sean Kazmar Jr. each hit three-run homers in the frame, as Gwinnett registered seven hits in the opening inning.

The seven runs allowed in the first inning were the most yielded by the Tides in an inning since they surrendered eight in the fourth frame of a loss at Gwinnett on May 22, 2014.

The early offense was more than enough for Braves starter Aaron Blair (1-0), the #4 prospect in the Atlanta system per MLB.com. Blair yielded three runs on five hits over six innings of work, walking one and striking out six.

Norfolk got on the board in the fifth frame, as Xavier Avery and Francisco Pena reached on consecutive triples. It was the first time the Tides had hit two triples in a game since August 7, 2014. It was also the first time a Tides catcher had tripled since Caleb Joseph did so on June 29, 2012.

The Tides and Braves wrap up their season-opening series Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park, with first pitch set for 1:05. Right-hander Terry Doyle will make his season debut for Norfolk and will be opposed by righty Tyrell Jenkins.

Notes: Dariel Alvarez hit an RBI single in the eighth inning and is now hitting .308 (4-13) through the first three games of the year...Norfolk surrendered 19 hits in the contest, the most the Tides have allowed in a game since yielding 21 at Gwinnett on April 15, 2014...Norfolk's bullpen of Andy Oliver, Jason Stoffel and Edgar Olmos combined to allow one earned run in 5.2 innings of relief.

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International League Stories from April 9, 2016


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