IL1 Norfolk Tides

Walker's Shot Lifts Tides to Walk-Off Win

Published on June 28, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release


Christian Walker hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, powering Norfolk to a 5-4 win over the Toledo Mud Hens Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park.

With one out and the score knotted at 4-4, Walker lofted a 1-0 pitch from Alberto Cabrera (2-2) over the right-center field fence for his fourth homer of the season. It was the second consecutive walk-off win vs. Toledo for the Tides, who have now won six straight games for the first time this season.

Walker, the #3 prospect in the Orioles system, finished with three hits and two RBI in the victory as he extended his hitting streak to seven games. Over that stretch, he's hit .451 (14-41) with two home runs, three doubles and five RBI.

Henry Urrutia had three hits and three RBI to help pace Norfolk's 13-hit attack, while Steve Clevenger and Michael Almanzar each added two hits apiece. The Tides swept the abbreviated two-game set from Toledo and have now won 12 consecutive home games vs. the Mud Hens.

Norfolk starter Kevin Gausman, making his first appearance with the Tides in 2015, allowed just one hit over three shutout innings of work. The 24-year-old LSU product allowed three of the first four batters of the game to reach base but quickly settled down - retiring each of the final seven batters he faced. He walked two and struck out three while throwing 22 of his 41 pitches for strikes.

Gausman was followed by Mike Wright, who was pitching with the Tides for the first time since being optioned to Norfolk from Baltimore on June 20. Wright surrendered four runs on five hits over 4.1 innings of relief, with the big blow against him being a three-run homer by Jefry Marte in the sixth inning. Wright struck out two and walked two, throwing 51 of his 78 pitches for strikes.

Oliver Drake (1-1) earned the victory by throwing a scoreless ninth inning. Drake has now turned in 17 consecutive scoreless appearances with the Tides, over which he's held opposing batters to a .119 average (7-59).

Norfolk welcomes the first place Charlotte Knights to town on Monday night for the start of a three-game series. Chris Jones (4-4, 2.38) gets the start for the Tides against right-hander Shawn Haviland (3-4, 4.75).

Notes: Earlier Sunday, RHP Dane De La Rosa was placed on Norfolk's Retired List...Mike Wright's relief appearances was his first since September 3, 2011, when he tossed 4.0 innings out of the bullpen with Class-A Delmarva...Steve Clevenger has now hit safely in 10 consecutive games at Harbor Park, over which he's batted .485 (16-33)...Henry Urrutia has reached base safely in 14 consecutive home games, over which he's hit .385 (20-52)...The walk-off win was Norfolk's sixth of 2015.

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International League Stories from June 28, 2015


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