Tides and Buffalo Split Doubleheader
Published on April 27, 2017 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Norfolk used a great performance from four pitchers alongside clutch hits from Johnny Giavotella and Robert Andino to rally past the Buffalo Bisons 2-1 in game two of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park. The Bisons blanked the Tides in the opener, 3-0.
The Tides trailed the second game 1-0 entering the fifth inning before Logan Schafer ignited the offense with a leadoff triple off of Wil Browning (3-1). One out later, Giavotella lined a single up the middle to plate Schafer, knotting the score at a run apiece. Giavotella then proceeded to steal second base, and Andino followed one batter later with an RBI single to left field to give the Tides the lead.
The rally made a winner out of Stefan Crichton (2-0), who allowed two hits over 1.2 shutout innings of relief in his first outing back with Norfolk after being optioned from Baltimore. Richard Bleier followed Crichton with a scoreless inning of his own before Jimmy Yacabonis worked the final frame to earn his third save of the season and give the Tides a split of the doubleheader.
Norfolk starter Steve Johnson - making his first appearance with the Tides after he opened the year in extended spring training - turned in a strong debut, striking out six and allowing one hit over 3.1 innings. Johnson, who was signed by Baltimore as a free agent on March 4, did not walk a batter and threw 32 of his 47 pitches for strikes. He retired the first eight batters he faced, with the only run against him coming on an RBI single by Jake Elmore off of Crichton in the fourth inning.
In the opener, Buffalo's Mike Bolsinger (1-1) and Josh Stilson combined on a three-hit shutout as the Bisons blanked Norfolk 3-0.
Bolsinger struck out six without walking a batter over 5.0 innings of work before giving way to Stilson, who set the Tides down in order over the final two innings to earn his first save of the season.
Norfolk starter Mike Wright (0-3) took the tough-luck loss after allowing two runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out three but issued four walks as he fell one out shy of recording his second consecutive Quality Start. He threw a Tides season-high 105 pitches in the contest - 66 of which went for strikes.
Buffalo first baseman Rowdy Tellez drove in all three Bisons runs in the victory, registering a sacrifice fly and an RBI single off of Wright before connecting on a solo home run off of Logan Verrett.
The doubleheader split was the second consecutive for the Tides and Bisons, as the two clubs completed four games in just under 24 hours (23 hours and 43 minutes).
The Tides will continue their homestand Friday night as they welcome in the Syracuse Chiefs for the opener of a three-game set. Tyler Wilson (0-1, 12.00) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by right-hander A.J. Cole (1-0, 5.02), with first pitch slated for 7:05.
On Friday, the first 2,000 fans ages 18 and over will receive a Harbor Park 25th season fleece blanket, courtesy of Elizabeth River Tunnels.
Notes: Prior to Thursday's twinbill, RHP Stefan Crichton and RHP Steve Johnson were added to Norfolk's roster, while RHP Scott McGough and LHP Tim Berry were transferred to Class-A Aberdeen...Norfolk had just three stolen bases over its first 19 games before registering three steals in game two of the doubleheader...Drew Dosch hit safely in each game of the doubleheader and has now hit safely in six of eight games since being promoted from Double-A Bowie...The two teams combined to register 29 strikeouts and just six walks over the two games of the twinbill.
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