IL1 Norfolk Tides

Villanueva Strong Start Helps Tides Top Durham 3-1

Published on August 11, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


Norfolk got an exceptional start from Elih Villanueva, an early outburst from the offense and an eighth inning triple play to top the Durham Bulls 3-1 Monday night at Harbor Park.

Villanueva (3-1) faced just five batters over the minimum over seven-plus innings as he helped the Tides sweep the two-game set. The 29-year-old right-hander allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out four to combine with Richard Rodriguez and Pedro Beato on Norfolk's 11th win in 15 games against Durham this season.

Norfolk gave Villanueva all the offense he would need in the first frame, as the Tides plated two runs off of rehabbing left-hander Drew Smyly (0-2). Henry Urrutia and Rey Navarro opened the inning with consecutive singles before a walk to Chris Parmelee loaded the bases. Christian Walker followed with a sacrifice fly to put the Tides on the board before Dariel Alvarez drove home Navarro with a fielder's choice grounder to give Norfolk a 2-0 advantage.

The Tides extended their lead to 3-0 an inning later, as Urrutia plated Audry Perez with a sacrifice fly. Urrutia, who singled again in the seventh frame, now has nine multi-hit games and has hit .303 since the All-Star break.

Villanueva retired 17 of 18 batters faced before the Bulls chased him with consecutive singles to open the eighth inning, setting the scene for Norfolk's triple play. Rodriguez was summoned from the bullpen to face Luke Maile, and Maile grounded a sharp one-hopper to Michael Almanzar, who made a fantastic backhanded stab before touching third base. Almanzar then fired an off-balance throw to second baseman Rey Navarro, who touched second before throwing to first base to retire Maile for Norfolk's first triple play since June 15, 1997.

The triple play was not the first for Tides manager Ron Johnson at Harbor Park, however, as his Pawtucket club actually turned two triple plays over a four-game span against the Tides when Johnson was managing the Red Sox during the 2009 season.

With the win, Norfolk (67-49) wrapped up its homestand with a 4-5 record.

The Tides open up a three-city, seven-game road trip Wednesday night with a 7:05 contest in Durham. Steve Johnson (4-1, 2.76) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by left-hander Matt Moore (1-2, 3.31).

Notes: With the win, Ron Johnson now has 283 wins in a Norfolk uniform, one win shy of the franchise record of 284 victories set by Gary Allenson...Chris Parmelee went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game with Norfolk after being outrighted from Baltimore...Pedro Beato recorded his 12th save of the season...The Tides have outscored Durham 69-37 this season...Christian Walker's first inning RBI gave him 24 runs batted in since the All-Star break, second-most in the International League.

Check out the Norfolk Tides Statistics

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International League Stories from August 11, 2015


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