Norfolk nipped by Tides, 8-6
Published on April 29, 2009 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Norfolk could not come back from an early five-run deficit as they fell 8-6 to the Gwinnett Braves Wednesday night at Harbor Park.
Norfolk pounded out 12 hits and drew four walks in the contest, but the Tides went just 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base. Norfolk also left the bases loaded in both the fourth and seventh innings en route to their third loss in four games.
With the loss, the Tides ended their season opening homestand with a 5-3 record.
Rich Hill (0-1) was impressive in his Norfolk debut, although he suffered the tough-luck defeat in his second minor league rehab start. The 29-year-old southpaw, who is with the Tides rehabbing a strained left elbow, threw 43 of his 63 pitches for strikes in 3.1 innings of work. Hill retired the first eight batters he faced before he issued a two-out walk in the third inning, and Gregor Blanco followed with a home run just over the right field fence to give the Braves an early 2-0 lead.
After a solo home run by Justin Christian in the third inning brought the Tides within a run, the Braves extended their lead with four sixth inning runs off of Ross Wolf. The big hit of the frame was a two-out, three-run double by Alvin Colina.
Norfolk inched closer on a two-run double by Robby Hammock in the sixth inning, and the Tides pulled within a run in the eighth inning on a two-run single by Oscar Salazar. However, G-Braves reliever Luis Valdez struck out pinch-hitter Jolbert Cabrera with a runner on first to end the contest, giving the Braves the win while earning his fourth save of the season.
Salazar finished 3-for-5 with two runs batted in, upping his average to an even .400 for the season. Salazar has also now hit safely in 15 straight games, the longest stretch in the International League this season.
The Tides (11-7) will travel to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday to start a four-game series with the Yankees. Dave Hernandez (1-0, 3.07) is slated to take the hill for the Tides against Yankees southpaw Kei Igawa (2-0, 6.75), with first pitch scheduled for 7:05.
International League Stories from April 29, 2009
- Norfolk nipped by Tides, 8-6 - Norfolk Tides
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Chopper! - Gwinnett Stripers
- Bulls on Education Day - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Host Louisville Bats is 4-Game Series Starting Thursday - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Notes - 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.
