IL Gwinnett Stripers

Stripers Force Extras in Norfolk, Fall on Mayo's Walk-off

April 27, 2024 - International League (IL)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - Back-to-back doubles by J.P. Martinez and Luis Liberato tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth inning, but Coby Mayo's two-out walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th gave the Norfolk Tides (11-15) a 5-4 win over the Gwinnett Stripers (12-13) on Saturday night at Harbor Park.

Decisive Plays: Luke Waddell drew a bases-loaded walk that also chased Norfolk starter Chayce McDermott in the first inning, giving the Stripers a 1-0 lead. That held until the fifth, when Daniel Johnson's two-run home run off Darius Vines put Norfolk up 2-1. Johnson's RBI double and an RBI single by Michael Perez made it 4-1 Tides in the seventh. In the eighth, Martinez lifted a two-run double to right-center and scored on Liberato's double to left-center to knot it up at 4-4. After failing to score in the top of the 10th, the Stripers gave up the winning run in the bottom half as Mayo lined a single to left off Grant Holmes (L, 1-1)

Key Contributors: Five of Gwinnett's six hits were doubles, with one each from Forrest Wall (1-for-4), Andrew Velazquez (1-for-4), Alejo Lopez (2-for-4), Martinez (1-for-2, 2 RBIs), and Liberato (1-for-3, RBI). Vines allowed four runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings and struck out seven in a no-decision. For Norfolk, Johnson finished a triple shy of the cycle (3-for-4, double, homer, 3 RBIs) and Mayo went 2-for-4 with the game-winning RBI.

Noteworthy: Wall's double extended his on-base streak with Gwinnett to 21 games, a span that dates back to July 7, 2023. The loss was Gwinnett's first in walk-off fashion this year. Manager Kanekoa Texeira and third baseman Phillip Evans were both ejected by home plate umpire Chris Marco in the seventh inning.

Next Game (Sunday, April 28): Gwinnett at Norfolk, 1:05 p.m. ET at Harbor Park. Broadcast: 12:50 p.m. ET on MyCountry993.com. RHP Allan Winans (1-1, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Stripers, the Tides' starter is TBD.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, April 30): Gwinnett vs. Durham, 11:05 a.m. ET at Coolray Field. Broadcast: 10:50 a.m. ET on MyCountry993.com and Bally Live. Area schools will be in attendance for the matinee game on the second Education Day of the season.




International League Stories from April 27, 2024


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.

OurSports Central