Tides earn 4-3 win over Pawtucket Red Sox
June 2, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Alberto Castillo drove home Jon Knott with a bases loaded, two-out single in the bottom of the 11th inning, giving the Tides a 4-3 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox in front of 9,642 fans at Harbor Park Saturday night.
With the score tied at 3-3, Mike Cervenak began the Tides rally with a one-out infield single, and advanced to second after Knott drew a walk off of Pawsox reliever Edgar Martinez (2-2). Pawtucket then brought in reliever Craig Breslow, who walked Terry Tiffee on five pitches before retiring pinch-hitter Jason Dubois on a fielders choice groundout for the second out of the inning. Castillo then grounded a ball through the left side, plating Knott and giving Norfolk the win.
The RBI single extended Castillo's season-long hitting streak to eight games, over which the 37-year-old backstop is hitting .407 (11-for-23).
The Tides were able to pick up the win in the 11th inning thanks to some great defense from right fielder Adam Stern in the 10th. With runners on first and third and nobody out, Chad Spann lifted a soft line drive to Stern, who made the catch and followed with a perfect one-hop throw to home plate, just in time to retire Ed Rogers and keep the game tied at 3-3.
Francis Beltran (1-4) picked up the win for Norfolk, allowing two hits in two shutout innings of relief.
Tides' starter Kurt Birkins turned in another strong outing at Harbor Park, but did not factor in the decision. Birkins allowed three earned runs on nine hits in 7.0 innings, striking out nine while walking two. In three starts at home this season, Birkins is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA.
Cervenak and J.R. House each finished with two hits and an RBI in the contest, as Norfolk snapped its five-game losing streak.
The Tides and Pawsox will continue their four-game set with a 1:15 contest Sunday afternoon from Harbor Park. Tim Kester (3-4, 6.39) is slated to take the hill for Norfolk against Pawsox lefty Jon Lester (0-1, 1.25).
International League Stories from June 2, 2007
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