Norfolk's Bats Silenced in 5-2 Loss to Durham Saturday
July 10, 2021 - International League (IL)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Durham Bulls third baseman Mike Ford launched two home runs, spoiling a strong effort from Tides starter Kevin Smith, as Norfolk fell to Durham by a 5-2 final score on Saturday night at Harbor Park.
Smith (3.1IP, 4H, 1R, 2BB, 6K) took a no-decision in his fourth Triple-A start. The left-hander did not allow a run until the fourth inning, when Ford launched his first homer of the evening to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead. After Smith walked the next two Durham batters, he was lifted in favor of righty Conner Greene.
Greene escaped the inning without further damage, and the Tides immediately mounted a threat against Bulls pitcher Luis Patino in the bottom half of the fourth. Three walks and a hit-by-pitch drove home a run to tie the game and forced Durham to go to its bullpen, but Bulls reliever Ryan Sherriff induced a popup and a double-play grounder to wiggle out of the bases-loaded, no-out jam unharmed.
The Bulls grabbed the lead once again in the top of the fifth on a leadoff walk, a single and a Norfolk error. With two runners aboard and Durham holding a 2-1 advantage, Ford blasted a long three-run home run to right field to make it a 5-1 game.
Four Bulls pitchers combined to hold the Tides scoreless over the final six frames, with just one Norfolk hitter - right fielder Seth Mejias-Brean - recording a hit against the Durham bullpen. Right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. finished off the game in the bottom of the ninth to give the Bulls the win.
Tides first baseman J.C. Escarra went 1-for-2 with a run, a walk and a sacrifice fly, also driving home both Norfolk runs. Escarra, who was promoted from Double-A Bowie on June 22, has reached base in 12 of his 13 games with the Tides.
Norfolk second baseman Jahmai Jones saw his 26-game on-base streak snapped, as he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. Saturday's contest marked just the second game all season in which the 23-year-old infielder did not reach base.
A season-high 8,543 fans attended Saturday night's game and postgame fireworks show. The Tides will wrap up their six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon, as southpaw Alex Wells looks to win his team-high sixth game of the season. Wells and the Tides will be opposed by Durham's Joe Ryan, the league leader in opponent batting average and WHIP. First pitch at Harbor Park is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
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