Tides' Defensive Lapses Spoil Pitchers Duel
Published on July 12, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Four Norfolk pitchers combined to allow just six hits, but two defensive miscues led to two unearned runs in a 2-0 setback to the Charlotte Knights Sunday night at Harbor Park.
Making his first start with the Tides since being optioned from Baltimore on July 7, Kevin Gausman (0-1) allowed one unearned run in five innings of work to take the tough-luck loss. The only run Gausman yielded came in the first frame, when a throwing error on a double steal allowed Micah Johnson to scamper home with the game's first run. Gausman walked four and struck out three, throwing 61 of his 96 pitches for strikes.
The Knights held their one-run lead all the way until the ninth inning, when Drew Garcia reached on an infield single, moved to second on an error and then scored on consecutive wild pitches to give the Knights a 2-0 cushion.
The two unearned runs were a rarity for Norfolk, which came into the contest leading the IL with just 22 unearned runs yielded this season.
Michael Bowden followed Gausman's efforts with two shutout innings of relief, lowering his ERA to 1.91 - tops in the International League. Bowden will represent the Tides in Wednesday night's Triple-A All-Star Game from Omaha, NE.
Three different Charlotte pitchers combined on the shutout, with former Tide Matt Albers (1-0) earning the win and Junior Guerra picking up his first save of the season.
With the win, the Knights leapfrogged Norfolk and moved into first place by a half-game in the International League South division.
The Tides return to action on Thursday night in Charlotte, with first pitch from BB&T Ballpark set for 7:05. Mike Wright (5-0, 3.00) is slated to get the start for Norfolk, with the game carried live on ESPN Radio 94.1 and MiLB.tv.
Notes: Old Dominion University product and current Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore through out the ceremonial first pitch...Charlotte stole five bases in the game, matching the most the Tides have allowed in a game this season...Norfolk's 50-39 record at the break is its second-best since becoming an Orioles affiliate in 2007, trailing the 50-38 mark registered by the 2009 Tides...Henry Urrutia went 0-for-4, snapping his 21-game on-base streak at Harbor Park...The two clubs combined to go 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position...Norfolk broadcaster Pete Michaud will call the Triple-A All-Star Game live from Omaha on the Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network.
International League Stories from July 12, 2015
- Knights Shut out Tides 2-0 - Charlotte Knights
- Tides' Defensive Lapses Spoil Pitchers Duel - Norfolk Tides
- Hitless Hens Spoil Melville's Quality Start - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bats No Hits Mud Hens in 5-0 Win - Louisville Bats
- Chiefs Defeat Wings 3-1 - Rochester Red Wings
- Cingrani, Holmberg, LeCure Combine for No-Hitter at Toledo - Louisville Bats
- Herd Falls in First Half Finale, 8-1 - Buffalo Bisons
- G-Braves Sting Bulls in Extras, 3-1 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Clippers Open Floodgates in 5th, Sweep Tribe - Indianapolis Indians
- G-Braves Sink Bulls in Extras, 3-1 - Durham Bulls
- Vasquez Dominant as Pigs Blank PawSox, 4-0 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Severino, Bird Dominate in Lopsided Win - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Big Seventh Inning Propels IronPigs to Series Win - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Chiefs Take Series Finale from Red Wings - Syracuse Mets
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Pigs Try to Take Series from PawSox - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Bisons Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Buffalo (1:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Ortiz's Late Go-Ahead Homer Beats Chiefs - Rochester Red Wings
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.
