Tides Blow by Durham 11-1
July 26, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Norfolk used home runs from Christian Walker and Dariel Alvarez and a strong outing from Mike Wright to cruise to an 11-1 win over the Durham Bulls Sunday evening at Harbor Park.
The Tides pounded out 15 hits in the contest, as every starter registered a hit and eight of the nine starters scored a run. The Tides led the contest 4-0 after three before sending 11 men to the plate in a six-run fourth inning, helping cap a 6-1 homestand in which Norfolk averaged 6.4 runs per game.
Walker got the Tides on the board in the first frame by belting an opposite-field two-run shot off of rehabbing left-hander Drew Smyly (0-1), his fifth home run over his last 10 games. Walker has now hit .372 (16-43) with a league-leading 15 RBI since the All-Star break.
Alvarez followed Walker's lead by lining a leadoff homer in the sixth frame for his team-leading 14th round tripper of the year. The 26-year-old added a sacrifice fly in the six-run fourth inning, giving him eight home runs and 35 RBI in 49 games since June 1st.
Sean Halton had three hits and two RBI to help pace Norfolk's offense, while Rey Navarro added two hits, two walks and an RBI to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.
The offense was more than enough support for Mike Wright, who improved to 8-0 after allowing one run on five hits in six innings of work. Wright, who has not lost a start with Norfolk since August 10, 2014, struck out seven and issued one walk as he lowered his ERA to 2.41 this season. Wright also improved his numbers in eight career starts vs. Durham to 3-1 with a 0.71 ERA (4 ER, 51.0 IP).
With the win, Norfolk (59-42) improved to 17 games over the .500 mark, matching a season-high. The Tides also moved a season-high 3.0 games ahead of Charlotte atop the International League South Division.
After an off day Monday, Norfolk opens up a six-game road trip Tuesday night with a 7:05 contest in Pawtucket. Knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa (8-3, 3.38) gets the start for the Tides while the Red Sox will counter with left-hander Brian Johnson (8-6, 2.73). Air time on ESPN Radio 94.1 is set for 6:50 pm.
Notes: After driving in two runs Sunday, Sean Halton has 19 RBI in July...Sharlon Schoop singled home a run to extend his on-base streak to 10 games...Michael Almanzar doubled in the second inning, giving him nine doubles in July and 22 doubles this season...T.J. McFarland tossed 2.0 shutout innings of relief to lower his ERA as a reliever with Norfolk to 0.69 (1 ER, 13.0 IP)...Julio Borbon had two hits, including a triple and an RBI single...At 59-42, the Tides own the best record in the International League.
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