While Bowden Paces Tides, Halton's Homer all Norfolk Needs
July 1, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
Michael Bowden fired seven shutout innings and Sean Halton hit a two-run home run as Norfolk blanked the Charlotte Knights 2-0 Wednesday night at Harbor Park.
Bowden (6-2) was terrific in helping extend Norfolk's divisional lead to 1.5 games over the Knights, as he allowed just three hits while tying his season-high with seven innings pitched. The 28-year-old right-hander struck out five without walking a batter, needing just 82 pitches to navigate the outing - including just 19 balls. Bowden, who faced just two batters over the minimum, now has enough innings pitched to qualify among the International League leaders, where his 2.17 ERA leads the circuit.
Norfolk got all the runs they would need in the second frame, as Halton blasted a two-run shot deep to left field off of Kyle Drabek (3-5) for his first homer in a Tides uniform. Halton, who gave Norfolk a walk-off win on Tuesday with a two-out, two-run double in the last of the ninth, has now hit safely in four consecutive games.
Pedro Beato followed Bowden's efforts with a scoreless eighth inning before giving way to Oliver Drake, who worked around a pair of walks by striking out the side in the ninth frame to earn his 12th save of the season. Drake has now registered 18 consecutive scoreless outings with Norfolk, over which he's recorded 10 saves and 28 strikeouts in 18.2 innings.
With the win, Norfolk (45-33) moved a season-high 12 games over the .500 mark and picked up its third straight series victory.
The Tides welcome the Durham Bulls to Harbor Park on Thursday night for the first of a two-game set, with first pitch slated for 7:05. Thursday is Superhero Night at Harbor Park, as several costumed characters will be on hand to take pictures with fans. The first 2,000 fans will receive a pair of sunglasses, and there will be a postgame fireworks extravaganza presented by FNV.
Notes: Prior to the game, RHP Tyler Wilson was recalled to Baltimore and LHP T.J. McFarland was activated after being optioned to Norfolk from the Orioles...Christian Walker singled in the fifth inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, the longest by a Tides player this season...Henry Urrutia singled in the first inning and has now reached base safely in 17 straight home games...The shutout win was Norfolk's 10th of the season, tying them with Columbus for most in the International League.
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