Tides fall in season opener
Published on April 9, 2009 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
An unearned run proved costly for Norfolk Thursday night as the Durham Bulls edged the Tides 2-1 in the 2009 season opener.
With the bases loaded and one out in the third inning, Durham's Justin Ruggiano grounded what appeared to be an inning-ending double play grounder to third baseman Scott Moore. Moore could not make the play, and John Jaso came in to score to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead. An RBI groundout by Chris Richard one batter later extended Durham's lead to 2-0.
The two runs were all the Bulls would get off of Norfolk starter Brad Bergesen (0-1), as the 23-year-old right-hander was impressive in his Triple-A debut. Bergesen totaled just 58 pitches in five innings of work as he yielded four hits and one walk while striking out six.
Durham starter Mitch Talbot (1-0) was equally efficient, as he held the Tides two three hits while striking out four in five shutout innings. Talbot threw 41 pitches in the outing, 33 of which went for strikes.
Norfolk's lone run of the game came in the 7th frame, as Nolan Reimold led off the frame by clubbing his first Triple-A home run.
The Tides nearly knotted the score in the 9th inning, as first baseman Oscar Salazar led off the inning with a triple to the right-center field gap. However, Durham closer Dale Thayer escaped the threat by retiring Reimold on a fly out, Scott Moore on a strikeout and Donnie Murphy on a pop out to earn the save and give the Bulls the win.
The Tides and Bulls continue their series on Friday night, with first pitch slated for 7:05. In a battle of left-handers, Chris Waters will take the hill for Norfolk against Durham southpaw David Price.
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