Stephen Strasburg pitched no-hit ball for 6 innings against the Tides (AP Photo)
The Norfolk Tides and the Syracuse Chiefs met in the third game of a four game series on Wednesday night and the story was pitching, in particular the pitching of Stephen Strasburg. The high sought rookie and MLB number one draft pick made his second AAA appearance for the Syracuse Chiefs as he is prepared by the Nationals organization for his Major League debut and it was a beauty. Strasburg owned the Tides tonight and went six innings surrendering no runs and no hits, striking out seven and walking just one leaving Norfolk Tides batters wondering just what train hit them.
Strasburg also had a little help from his friends at the plate and in the bullpen. The Chiefs scored four runs in the bottom of the 5th inning and that would be more than enough to roll back the Tides on this cool, cloudy and windy night in front of 6720 fans at Alliance Bank Field on the west side of downtown Syracuse near Lake Onondaga. Drew Storen came on in the 7th inning and pitched and and a third innings giving up a single and two walks. Ron Villone came in with one out in the top of the 8th inning giving up just a hit and a walk.
The Tides started Troy Patton and with two outs in the 5th inning his game came apart. After getting Pedro Lopez to hit into a 4-6-3 double play Patton walked Justin Maxwell. Former Tides outfielder Chase Lambin singled bringing up Kevin Mench who singled to left to score Maxwell and send Lambin to third. Troy then Mike Morse walked on 4 pitches to load the bases. Josh Whitesell took the count to 3 and 1 and then tripled to clear the bases. Patton then retired Seth Bynum on a called third strike to end the inning. Denis Sarfate and Alberto Castillo pitched the final two innings for the Tides allowing no runs on no hits and only a walk surrendered by Sarfate.
The final was the Tides 0 runs on 2 hits and 1 error with 4 men left on base. The Chiefs had 4 runs on 6 hits and 1 error with 7 left on base. Patton (2-4 5.65) got the loss and Strasburg (2-0 0.00) the win. The teams play again to close out the series before most of our lunch breaks beginning at 1030 AM at Alliance Bank Field. Brandon Erbe (0-6 7.20) gets the start for the Tides and will face Andrew Kown (1-2 2.79) who will take the hill for the Chiefs.
Corey Patterson was promoted the the Orioles and singled and scored a run in his fist game with the O’s
There was a personnel move involving the Orioles and the Tides. Second Baseman Paco Figueroa was assigned to the Tides from AA Bowie while Corey Patterson who in his brief time with the Tides earned a place back on a major league roster was promoted to Baltimore and Nolan Reimold who has struggled battling a nagging heel injury that occurred in 2009 that has limited his play and effectiveness was optioned to the Tides.
Alfredo Simon got his 4th save as the Baltimore Closer after serving in a starting role at Norfolk
Meanwhile in Baltimore it was a night for former Tides pitchers. Brad Bergeson after coming back to the O’s from a brief stint with the Tides picked up his third victory in as many starts and Alfredo Simon got his fourth save. Corey Patterson singled and scored a run in his Orioles debut. The Orioles defeated the Mariners at Camden Yards by a score of 5-2.
Until tomorrow,
Peace,
Padre Steve+
The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 