IL1 Norfolk Tides

Tides Blanked by Mud Hens

Published on July 17, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


July 17, 2007 - Toledo's Virgil Vazquez spun a five-hit shutout, pitching the Mud Hens to a 2-0 win over the Tides on a rainy Tuesday night from Harbor Park.

Vazquez (9-3) was brilliant as he moved into a tie for third in the International League with nine wins. The 24-year-old needed just 107 pitches in the complete game effort, walking one and striking out four. Only two Tides' batters reached second base in the contest, with Vasquez retiring 11 straight batters from the 5th through 9th innings.

Norfolk managed just one sizable threat against Vazquez, courtesy of a Toledo misplay in the field. Eider Torres lined a one-out single in the 9th inning to start the rally, and J.R. House reached first base when Hens right fielder Henry Mateo misplayed his routine fly ball, putting runners on first and second. Vazquez escaped the threat, however, by getting Mike Cervenak to fly out and Terry Tiffee to line out, ending the contest and giving Toledo its second straight win to start the four-game series.

Norfolk has now lost back-to-back games for just the second time since June 17.

Tides' starter Jim Johnson (4-9) pitched well, but took the tough-luck loss for the second time against Toledo this year. Johnson, who allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings of work, also suffered the loss in Norfolk's 2-1 loss at Toledo on June 10. In that outing, the 24-year-old yielded one run on four hits in 7.0 innings.

Toledo plated the only run they would need in the 2nd inning, as Brent Clevlen began the inning with a single and scored on a groundout by Mateo. The Mud Hens padded their lead in the 4th frame, as Mateo reached on a one-out double and scored on a two-out single by Kevin Hooper.

Luis Montanez led the Tides' offense with two hits, including his eighth double of the season.

The start of the game was delayed 47 minutes due to rain.

Norfolk and Toledo will square off again on Wednesday night, with first pitch slated for 7:15. Current IL Pitcher of the Week Craig Anderson (2-2, 3.52) will take the hill for the Tides against Toledo right-hander Yorman Bazardo (7-4, 4.03).

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International League Stories from July 17, 2007


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