Walker Lifts Tides past Pawtucket 6-2
July 22, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Christian Walker homered and drove in three, powering Norfolk to a 6-2 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox Wednesday night at Harbor Park.
Walker, the #3 prospect in the Orioles system according to Baseball America, got the Tides on the board in the first inning with an RBI single off of Robby Scott (1-1). The 23-year-old South Carolina product then belted a two-run homer in the second frame, capping a four-run outburst that put the Tides up 6-0.
Walker has now hit safely in six consecutive games, over which he's hit .407 (11-27) with four home runs, three doubles and 11 RBI.
Rey Navarro helped pace Norfolk's offense with two doubles - including a two-run double in the second inning that gave the Tides a 4-0 lead. Navarro has now hit safely in seven straight contests and 14 of his last 15, as he's hit .385 (25-65) with three homers, seven doubles, nine RBI and 15 runs scored over that 15-game stretch.
Making his first appearance since July 10, Norfolk starter Eddie Gamboa (8-6) picked up the win after allowing one run over five innings of work. He allowed four hits and three walks while striking out five as he picked up his team-leading eighth win of the season - tied for the second-most among Orioles minor leaguers.
The win was Norfolk's third straight over Pawtucket and improved the Tides (55-41) to 14 games over .500, the third time this season Norfolk has been 14-games above the .500 mark.
The Tides won the contest despite Pawtucket's bullpen retiring the final 18 Norfolk batters.
The Tides will go for the four-game series sweep on Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park, with first pitch slated for 12:05. UVA product Tyler Wilson (3-5, 3.14) gets the start for Norfolk and will be opposed by left-hander Henry Owens (3-7, 3.26).
Notes: Dariel Alvarez hit a run-scoring double in the first inning...T.J. McFarland and Jorge Rondon combined to strike out seven consecutive batters from the seventh through ninth innings...Norfolk is now 16-5 against IL North opponents at Harbor Park this season...The Tides have outscored Pawtucket 25-7 over the first three games of the series...With two shutout innings Wednesday, Jorge Rondon has not allowed a run in 11 of his last 12 appearances.
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