Last night’s game between the Norfolk Tides and the Gwinnett Braves was an exciting see-saw game. The starting pitcher for the Braves was Omar Poveda (0-0), who threw a one hit, no decision in his last start. The Tides had Zach Britton (0-0), who also got a no decision in his last start. For the first couple of innings it looked like the game was going to be a pitching duel; with each allowing only one hit through two innings, and Poveda getting two strikeouts. As the weather got colder, the bats started to heat up for both teams.
Going into the bottom of the third the score was deadlocked at zero. Luis Exposito, batting 9th for the Tides, earned a rare walk from Poveda. This set up lead-off man Jason Pridie, who belted a two run home run, to put the Tides ahead 2-0. The Braves would respond in the fourth, scoring an unearned run off of an error by SS Jonathan Schoop, cutting the Tides lead in half.
The fireworks, however, would start in the bottom of the fifth. Lead-off man Jason Pridie hit a nice two out double, which was followed by a home run from center fielder L.J. Hoes. The Tides had taken a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth inning. Zach Britton would start the sixth, but would leave after giving up a couple of hits and a run.
Going into the seventh, both starting pitchers had been relieved. Zach Britton had 2 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, and Omar Poveda, besides the two 2-run home runs, pitched strong, striking out 6 in 5 innings.
The seventh would be a huge inning for the Braves. Alden Carrithers led the inning off with a triple to right field, and Sean Kazmar capitalized on it with an RBI single. Tyler Pastornicky hit a one out single, and two batters later Ernesto Mejia belted a huge 3-run homer to put the Braves on top 6-4.
However, a scrappy Tides team wouldn’t go quietly into the night. In the bottom of the eighth, Jason Pridie collected his third hit of the night to start the inning. A walk and catcher interference call on Braves catcher, Jose Yopez, would load the bases for clean-up hitter Danny Valencia. Valencia would get a RBI single to cut the Braves lead to one. A wild pitch from Braves pitcher, Dusty Hughes, would bring in the tying run. Yamaico Navarro, who was 0-3 with three strikeouts, would bring in the winning run with a sacrifice fly to left field. The Braves would go down in order to end the game.
Former Detroit Tiger Daniel Schlereth would earn his second win for the Tides, and Dusty Hughes would get the loss as well as a blown save. Jario Asencio would earn the save for the Tides, his third of the year.
Overall, it was a very fun and entertaining game. Total attendance was 7,064, and game time was 2hrs 48min. The promotion for the game was Old Dominion University Night, which included the ODU marching band, an appearance by the ODU mascots and cheerleaders, and ticket discounts for ODU students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Tides Players of the Game: P Daniel Schlereth (2-0), 3B Danny Valencia 3/4 w/ 1 RBI and 9 put out assists, CF Jason Pridie 3/4 w/ 3R, 1HR, 2RBI, 1 Double he finished a triple shy of the cycle, & RF L.J. Hoes 1/3 w/ 2R, 1HR, 2RBI, 1BB.
Braves Players of the Game: 1B Ernesto Mejia 2/4 w/ 1R, 1HR, 3RBI, 3B Alden Carrithers 2/4 w/ 1R 1 Triple, & SS Sean Kasmar 3/4 w/ 1R 1RBI
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