Tag Archives: norfolk tides

May 23, 2010 · 01:50

Wings Fly over Tides 9-2 Patton Hammered

Troy Patton was roughed up by the Red Wings on Saturday Night

If you have ever had one of those days that you wish you could do all over again and I know that I have, you may understand what Norfolk Tides pitcher Troy Patton went through on a warm and breezy Saturday night down and the Cathedral on the bank of the Elizabeth River’s East Fork in front of 7592 fans on military appreciation night. Patton had one of those days that many pitchers occasionally have where he was simply hittable.  From my vantage point behind home plate it seemed that his pitches were not moving and the Rochester Red Wings who stocked their batting order with right handed batters did not let up on the young lefty.

Singles in the 2nd inning. He would score from 3rd on an Adam Donachie single

Troy got through the 1st and 2nd innings without surrendering a run but making a lot of pitches will allowing two singles.  The Tides then got him a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd when Adam Donachie singled to score Josh Bell from third. The Tides had 3 hits in the inning and it looked like things might be on track for a fourth straight win at home.

Andy Mitchell gave up no earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched

However in the 3rd inning Patton began to run into trouble.  Toby Gardenhire doubled the first pitch down the left field line to start the inning. Patton was able to get the next two batters out but Gardenhire scored on a ground out by Matt Tolbert.  Brian Dinkleman doubled to right and scored on a single by Danny Valencia but Valencia was thrown out at second by Adam Donachie when he tried to take second on the throw to home to end the inning.  Patton gave up another double with two outs in the top of the fourth inning to Wilson Ramos but no damage was done as Patton got Brock Peterson to pop out to shortstop Robert Andino to ending the inning and the threat.

Josh Bell slides into second

The Tides went quietly in the bottom of the fourth and Joey Gathright replaced Michael Aubrey as the designated hitter. It was in the top of the 5th that Troy Patton’s night became one that he would rather forget as the Wings turned the left field line into a shooting gallery.  Toby Gardenhire led off with a single but was thrown out by Nolan Reimold and that would be the last out that Patton would see.  Jason Repko and Matt Tolbert had back to back doubles both down the line in left with Tolbert’s scoring Repko. After an extended visit to the mound by pitching coach Mike Griffin Patton went back to work as did the Wings.  Brian Dinkleman singled on a line drive down the left field line to score Tolbert and he was followed by Danny Valencia who did the same sending Dinkleman to second.  Matt Macri doubled down the line to left scoring Dinkleman.  Dustin Martin then singled down the left field line to score Valencia. This was enough for Gary Allenson who sent a disappointed and obviously frustrated Patton to the dugout.  Into the carnage Allenson brought right handed submariner Andy Mitchell. Mitchell who until this year had been a starter and shuttled from the roster to the taxi squad and back a couple of times this year while maintaining his poise and composure adjusting to the changes with grace did not disappoint tonight.  With two on and only one out Andy got Wilson Ramos to fly out to right but allowed a single down the left field line to Brock Peterson scoring Matt Macri for the final run charged to Patton’s account.  Andy then retired Toby Gardenhire who had began the inning on a ground ball to first that Brandon Snyder made a great play to get the ball and toss it to Mitchell to end the inning. The Tides mustered nothing in the bottom frame going down one two three.

The Red Wings would pick up an unearned run in the top of the 6th inning but Jeff Salazar led off the bottom frame with a solo home run.  Josh Bell hit a two out double but was stranded at second when Nolan Reimold struck out swinging.  Andy Mitchell sent the Wings down in order in the 7th and allowed a single in the 8th pitching three and two thirds inning without an earned run.  In the bottom half of the 8th inning Jeff Salazar and Robert Andino singled and Rhyne Hughes walked to load the bases with one out. Josh Bell batting right handed struck out and then Nolan Reimold did the same to end the Tides best chance at a multi run inning.

Pedro Viola came into the game in the 9th inning for the Tides in relief of Mitchell and had his best outing of the year since arriving in Norfolk.  After walking the first batter he retired the next three batters in order to close out the top of the 9th.  In the bottom frame the Tides went down in order to end the game but knowing that tomorrow is another day and a chance to get back in the winning side of life.

The Red Wings had 9 runs on 17 hits with one error and left 9 men on base.  The Tides two runs on 8 hits and one error and left 6 runners on base.  Troy Patton (2-6 6.56) got the loss giving up 8 runs on 13 hits in 4.1 innings.  Andy Mitchell had no earned runs in 3.2 innings giving up 4 hits.  Rochester starter Matt Fox (4-2 2.82) got the win giving up 2 runs, only one earned on 5 hits in 6 innings.

In Washington the Orioles lost to the Nationals in their second of three interleague games with the Nats. Tomorrow is the rubber game in the series.

Sunday afternoon the Tides and Red Wings play again at Harbor Park with Jeff Manship (2-2 3.93) taking the hill for Rochester and Brandon Erbe (0-7 6.07) going for his first win of the season.

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 22, 2010 · 11:28

Tides Win in Walk Off take Three of Four from the Pawsox

Chris George came off the DL to pitch 6 strong innings against the Pawtucket Red Sox

The Norfolk Tides continue their climb back into competition in the International League South division at the expense of the Pawtucket Red Sox or as they either affectionately or derisively known as the Pawsox. On Friday night there was no blow out like Thursday but instead a nail biting walk off as the Tides defeated the Pawsox for the third straight time in their four game set in from of 6957 fans on a very comfortable night for baseball with temperatures in the 70s and 10 mile an hour win coming in from center.

Brandon Snyder Doubles to Score Josh Bell in the 6th Inning

The Tides started Chris George just coming off the 7 day DL and initially things did not look good for Chris. After getting the first two batters out George gave up three consecutive extra base hits.  Jorge Jimenez doubled to right and scored when Aaron Bates tripled to right.  Bates was doubled home by Dusty Brown who picked up his 9th double of the season.

Michel Hernandez Singles in the bottom of the 9th

Pawtucket kept the lead at 2-0 until the bottom of the third inning when the Tides got their first run. Jeff Salazar doubled and then advanced to third when Adam Mills made a wild pitch.  Andino stuck out but Rhyne Hughes hit a sacrifice grounder to score Salazar.  In the 4th inning with 2 outs and Nolan Reimold at second base Joey Gathright reach frst on a throwing error by Ryan Khoury. Reimold running with two outs attempted to score but was thrown out at the plate by Jorge Jimenez.

Frank Mata fans Lars Anderson for the second out in the top of the 9th

George put down the Pawsox in order in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings to keep the Tides down by only one and in the bottom of the 6th the Tides got their second run.  Josh Bell doubled to lead off the 6th and then Nolan Reimold flied out to center. With one out and Bell at second Brandon Snyder doubled to left to score Bell and tie the game.

Jeff Salazar Singles to advance pinch runner Paco Figueroa

Armando Gabino came in to relieve George in the top of the 7th and got into a bit of trouble. He hit Dusty Brown with a pitch and then struck out Lars “Why didn’t I make the Norwegian Biathlon team” Anderson before getting behind Tug Hulett 3-0 and then giving up a double to Hulett on a 3-1 count placing Brown on third and Hulett at second with one out. The Tides had Gabino intentionally walk Bubba Bell to load the bases.  At this point it looked like the game was in a precarious state and the members of the Red Sox Nation in attendance began to get noisy, rude and obnoxious. I’m sorry having seen fans of about every Major League team either in Major League parks or their minor league farm teams the travelling members of the Red Sox Nation are the most crude, rude and obnoxious that I have ever come across.  Now this is not an indictment of every Red Sox fans I know plenty of friends that are perfect gentleman and ladies but as a whole when the Red Sox nation travels they are the worst. Even Elliott the Usher a Red Sox fan himself from Massachusetts says that he and the other ushers agree that they are the most ill-behaved fans in baseball.  But I digress….With the bases now loaded Mike Griffin paid a strategy visit to the mount.  Gabino worked into a 2-2 count on Ryan Khoury before getting him to pop up to end the inning.

Game winner. Robert Andino blasts a single past the head of Chad Peranto

With the obnoxious Red Sox nation fans getting louder and more obnoxious by the moment, especially the one behind me and to my right in row “C” who apparently was trying to ensure that his four year old son learns how to be rude and obnoxious early in life closer Frank Mata came into the game in the 9th inning.  Mata got Dusty Brown to pop up to catcher Michel Hernandez in foul territory behind the plate and struck out Lars Anderson.  Tug Hulett then singled to right and Bubba Bell walked on 4 pitches. This brought up Ryan Khoury who Mata got to pop out to second baseman Robert Andino to end the Pawsox frame of the 9th inning.

The Tides came to the plate in the bottom of the 9th to face reliever Chad Peranto. At this point I had reached my limit with the Red Sox Nation numbskull behind me and began to shoot back at him.  Blake Davis flied out to deep left to begin the inning and Michel Hernandez singled.  Hernandez was pulled for a pinch runner in the form of newly called up Paco Figueroa. Joey Gathright popped up for the second out bringing up Jeff Salazar who singled off of Peranto sending Figueroa to second.  Now with two on and two out Robert Andino came to the plate. Andino who had a home run in Thursday night’s game hit a laser almost taking Peranto’s head off to center field for a single and Paco Figueroa hustling in from second scored to end the game and silence the Red Sox Nation.

The Tides had 3 runs on 9 hits with no errors and left 9 runners on base.  The Pawsox had 2 runs on 6 hits and one error and left 7 men on base.  Frank Mata (2-1 S8 1.86) got the win and Chad Peranto (1-2 4.63) got the loss. With the win the Tides move into second place in the International League South 4.5 games back of the Durham Bulls.  Tonight the Tides will face the Rochester Red Wings who are the AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.  Troy Patton (2-5 5.53) will get the start for the Tides and will face Rochester’s Matt Fox (3-2 3.06).

See you at Harbor Park where it is Military Appreciation night with special discounted tickets $6.50 for a reserved seat to active duty, reserve and retired military members. There will be a pre-game ceremony to honor the armed forces and post game fireworks.

Blessings and Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 21, 2010 · 16:20

Moves and Rumors of Moves…Well Not the Rumors Part…Orioles and Tides Make Some Moves

Scott Moore was called up to Baltimore on Friday

The player personnel departments of the Baltimore Orioles and their farm system have been busy in the past two days.  With the worst record in baseball the Orioles are searching for answers to their woes in the hitting department and in their bullpen.  On Thursday they optioned relief pitcher Alberto Castillo to the Norfolk Tides.  Today they called up infielder Scott Moore who has been hitting very well lately including two home runs on Wednesday and a three RBI night Thursday from the Tides to join the team in Washington to play the Nationals.

Also on Friday the Tides brought Left Hand Pitcher Chris George off the 7 day disabled list and Chris will pitch tonight against the Pawtucket Red Sox.  Infielder Justin Turner who has been cold at the bat this season and was on the Orioles 40 man roster was designated for assignment which means that he was removed from the 40 man roster which means that the Tides have 10 days to from the date of designation to return the Justin to the 40-man roster or to trade, release, or outright the player to Minors. As a note a player may only be designated for assignment if the 40-man roster is full and a player needs to be added which in this case is Scott Moore.

Also at Norfolk Paco Figueroa was called up from the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  Figueroa an infielder had a .306 average at AA Bowie before being called up.

It will be interesting since we are coming to the end of May just what other moves might be made. If I was a betting man I would look for more in Baltimore that will affect the Tides.

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 21, 2010 · 15:41

Moore, Snyder and Andino Light Up Pawsox Pitchers while Jake Arietta Dominates, Tides Win 8-1 at Harbor Park

Brandon Snyder rips a bases load double in the 5th inning for his 3 RBIs

The Norfolk Tides are beginning to play team that I predicted at the beginning of the season. The hitting after some very dismal performances of latest has began to come around in the past two games where after a dismal 9 game stretch where they only scored 21 games with only two home runs have scored have scored 13 runs in the past two games and hit four home runs.  Likewise Chris Tillman and Jake Arietta (4-2 1.93) simply dominated the Pawsox hitters pitching a combined 14 innings allowing no runs and 7 hits. Arietta who had struggled with control his last couple of outings struck out 10 Pawsox hitters and walked only two allowing only four hits.  The one-two punch of Tillman and Arietta is beginning to mature and these two young pitchers have a great chance to do some great things when they eventually enter the Orioles’ starting rotation.

On Thursday night in even more ideal conditions than Wednesday the teams met for the third time. The temperature at game time was 80 degrees with winds 8 miles an hour blowing from right to left. There were two stories on Thursday night the biggest being the domination of the Pawsox by Jake Arietta.  However Jake would not have won had Tides hitters not fulfilled their part of the bargain which they did tonight.  It was the bottom of the 3rd inning when Michel Hernandez doubled to lead off the inning.  Joey Gathright bunted to advance Hernandez to third with one out.  Jeff Salazar then grounded out to second allowing Hernandez to score.  With two outs and no one on base Robert Andino on a one ball two strike count hit a deep drive to left field which bounced off the wall and the throw from left was so good that Andino appeared to have been held to a long single.  However the umpires had a brief conference at the behest of Gary Allenson and ruled that the ball had bounced on or above the white line at the top of the wall for a home run.  The inning ended with a 2-0 Tides lead.

Robert Andino Homers in the Third inning

The Pawsox then made things interesting in the top of the 4th with a walk, single and a throwing error to load the bases with two outs but Arietta got Tug Hulett to ground out softly to Scott Moore at second base to end the inning and the threat.  The Tides came out in the 5th inning with bats blazing.  Michel Hernandez singled sharply to center and was followed by Joey Gathright who ran out a bunt to second. Jeff Salazar came up and beat out a ground ball to second to load the bases with no outs.  Robert Andino struck out and was followed by Scott Moore who singled sharply to right scoring both Hernandez and Gathright.  Josh Bell grounded out to move Salazar to third and Moore to second.  Brandon Snyder came to the plate and on a 3 and 1 count smashed a double to the right center gap which reached the wall driving in all three Tides base runners to give the Tides a seven to nothing lead.

Arietta continued to dominate and struck out the side in the 7th on 11 pitches.  In the bottom of the 7th inning the Tides scored again as Robert Andino singled to lead off the inning and Scott Moore doubled to right to score Andino.  Ross Wolf came into the game in the 8th and pitched a scoreless inning despite surrendering a walk to Aaron Bates.  In the 9th Kam Mickolio came into the game and was tagged by Lars Anderson for a home run to right to lead off the inning.  He then stuck out Tug Hulett but gave up consecutive singles to Bubba Bell and Ryan Khoury.  Pitching Coach Mike Griffin then went to the mound to chat with the big right hander who was throwing in the mid to high 90s.  Mickolio responded by striking out Josh Reddick and then getting Niuman Romero to pop up softly to Robert Andino to end the game.

Jake Arietta struck out 10 on his way to his 4th victory

The Tides had 8 runs on 11 hits with one error and left 4 men on base.  The Red Sox had 1 run on 7 hits and no errors while stranding 10 runners.  Jake Arietta got the win allowing no runs on 4 hits striking out 10 and walking just two in 7 innings work.  Pawsox started Fabio Castro got the loss going 4 and two thirds innings giving up 6 runs on 8 hits striking out 3 and walking one batter.

Thursday was a boon for Tides hitters especially Scott Moore and Brandon Snyder who each drove in three runs.  Andino had the one home run for the Tides while Hernandez, Snyder and Moore each had two-baggers.  4205 fans saw the game which lasted two hours and forty-four minutes.

The teams will play the final game of this series tonight at Harbor Park  with Adam Mills (1-3 4.25) pitching for Pawtucket and Chris George (1-1 4.50) coming off the 7 day FL taking the hill for the Tides.

See you there.

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 20, 2010 · 00:48

Tides Defeat Pawsox 5-2 on Tillman’s Pitching and the Long Ball

Chris Tillman pitched seven shut out innings to get the win

After losing the opening game of their series against the Pawtucket Red Sox the Norfolk Tides dominated the Boston Red Sox AAA affiliate on a beautiful Wednesday night.  Baltimore Orioles General Manager Andy McPhail and 3872 of his closest friends, except the Pawsox fans enjoyed the moderate temperatures and light winds which made the night a beautiful night for a ball game.  Tonight it was Chris Tillman (4-4 3.31) who shut down the Pawsox for seven innings allowing no runs and only three hits striking out 4 and walking only 2.  Tillman was followed by Pedro Viola in the 8th inning and Viola made things a bit sporty for the Tides allowing a run on two hits before retiring the side.  Denis Sarfate entered in the 9th inning and after retiring Aaron Bates walked Dusty Brown and then gave up a single to Lars Anderson who with a name like that needs to be on the Norwegian Biathlon Team.  After a visit to the mount by manager Gary Allenson Sarfate walked Tug Hulett to load the bases with one out.  Allenson then took Sarfate out for closer Frank Mata (0-0 1.96) who got Bubba Bell to ground out to first which allowed Brown to score and then struck out Ryan Khoury to end the game and notch his 8th save of the year.

Adam Donachie Singles and Justin Turner Drives him in

And They Come across the plate


Tonight the Tides hitters finally started hitting the long ball and it began with Scott Moore who crushed a 2-0 pitch over the right field wall which drove in Nolan Reimold who had walked.  In the 3rd inning Adam Donachie singled and Justin Turner blasted a one out shot over the left field wall bouncing the ball off a picnic table in the left field picnic area to score two more runs for the Tides extending their lead to 4-0.  That score would remain until the 6th inning when Scott Moore did not leave us waiting from more but smashed a two out 2-0 pitch from Sox starter Michael Bowden which left the ballpark completely passing over the bullpen in the direction of the East Fork of the Elizabeth River. Good thing there were no boats passing by or we might have needed a rescue team.  That ended the scoring for the Tides and though the Pawsox attempted a comeback they fell short.

Scott Moore crosses home plate after his second home run of the night

The Tides had 5 runs on 7 hits and an error leaving two men on base. The Sox had 2 runs on 6 hits and no errors leaving 7 runners on base.  On Thursday the Tides and the Sox meet again at Harbor Park with Tides ace Jake Arietta (3-2 2.20) going up against Fabio Castro (2-2 6.56).   Hopefully the Tides will take advantage of the momentum generated tonight and transfer it into solid pitching and hitting on Thursday night at Harbor Park. The weather should be excellent to see a game so see you there.

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 19, 2010 · 17:51

Tides Lose to Pawsox 6-0 as Brandon Erbe Takes 7th Loss

Brandon Erbe lost his 7th of the Season

The Norfolk Tides returned home to Harbor Park on a windy night with the winds blowing out rather than in and the Pawtucket Red Sox hitters rode that wind to shut out the Tides by a score of 6-0.  Brandon Erbe who is still working to get his first AAA victory after being disappointed last week when what looked like a certain win evaporated in an eight run Buffalo Bisons rally in the 8th inning.  Tuesday night the young starter was the victim of the long ball as Brandon gave up 5 runs on 8 hits in six innings work striking out two and walking one.  Aaron Bates led off the 2nd inning with a solo shot to right field and Bubba Bell hit his first home run of the season a three run shot with two outs in the top of the 4th inning and Bell would add another RBI driving in Tug Hulett with a one out single in the top of the 6th inning.  The Pawsox added an unearned run in the top of the 7th when Robert Andino threw the ball away on a play to first and the batter Angel Sanchez went to second. Sanchez was driven home by a Jorge Jimenez sacrifice fly two batters later.

Andy Mitchell making his return to the team pitched well allowing no runs on 3 hits with a strilout in two innings work.

The Tides hitters could tie nothing together and were shut out by the Pawsox pitchers Kris Johnson who got the win, Scott Atchison and Dustin Richardson.  The Tides had eight hits but mustered no runs and left eight men on base scoring none of 12 runners who got into scoring position.  Michael Aubrey had a double and a triple while Robert Andino and Rhyne Hughes both doubled.

Tides fielders gave up three errors in the loss.

The Tides and Red Sox meet tonight at Harbor Park with Michael Bowden (1-1 5.93) of the Rex Sox going up against Chris Tillman (3-4 5.93) of the Tides.  See you there.

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 18, 2010 · 22:56

Tides Blown Out of Buffalo 11-4: Northern Road Trip Ends with Tides Losing Six of Eight Games….Is there any Hitting in the House?

Frustrated Hitters like Joey Gathright have not had a Good Season so far in 2010

The Tides first northern expedition of the year ended badly in Buffalo on Monday night. On a cool, cloudy and breezy Buffalo night the Tides fell to the Bisons by a score of 11-4.  The game was actually relatively close and could have gone to extra innings but for the 7 runs allowed by the Tides in the 7th and 8th innings.  Tides Starter Troy Patton (2-5 5.53)  gave up 4 runs, three earned on 8 hits in 5.2 innings work.    Jim Miller came into the game to relieve Patton in the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs and retired the first batter that he faced.  Miller gave up a solo home run to Jason Pridie in the bottom of the 7th before retiring the rest of the order.  However the 8th inning was the inning of doom for the Tides as the Bisons’ bats lit up Miller and Pedro Viola for 6 runs on 4 hits which included home runs by Russ Adams and Mike Jacobs and a double by Jesus Feliciano each of which scored two runs.  The Tides tried to rally in the top of the 9th but the rally fell very short with the Tides scoring 2 runs on a series of singles by Josh Bell, Michael Aubrey, Brandon Snyder, Robert Andino and Adam Donachie.  The Tides had scored two runs early in the game when Michael Aubrey hit a two run home run in the top of the 2nd inning.

Rhyne Hughes leads the Tides in batting averaage

The road trip was difficult for the Tides especially in the hitting department. The Tides scored just 21 runs on 57 hits and only 2 home runs.  They were shut out twice with one of those a complete game for the opposing pitcher.  They now sit at the bottom of the International League in the team batting average with a .234 team average and an On Base Percentage of just .299 also the lowest in the league.  They rank third from the bottom in run production with a total of 157 runs in 39 games with a Slugging Percentage of .366 the second lowest in the league.   In some ways the Tides hitting mirrors that of their parent club the Baltimore Orioles.  Who have a .251 average a .310 OBP and scored just 133 runs next to last in the American League with a fourth from the bottom Slugging Percentage of .384.    It is obvious that the Orioles and the Tides need to improve markedly in hitting and run production if they ever want to be competitive.

Former Tides Pitcher Alfredo Simon got the win in Relief in Baltimore while Corey Patterson (below) had a game tying home run in the bottom of the 8th

In the pitching department the Tides are part of the middle of the pack in the International League with an ERA of 4.27.  In a number of pitching categories the Tides are competitive however they have given up 142 walks the most in the League other than Pawtucket and are in the top third of the league in terms of home runs, runs and earned runs.  With the exception of the final game of the series in Buffalo the pitchers kept the Tides in the games despite giving up the long ball in inopportune moments.

While the Tides pitching could improve the pitchers are on the whole improving but the hitters are struggling and players that hit for good averages last year are not getting it done this year. In 2009 Joey Gathright hit .325, Justin Turner .300, Michael Aubrey .290, Scott Moore .254 and Brandon Snyder .248.   By comparison Gathright is hitting .184, Turner .250, Aubrey .266, Moore .256 and Snyder .202.  The team batting average in 2009 was .272 and currently in 2010 .234.  On base percentage 2009 was .330 and this year .299, slugging percentage in 2009 .389 and 2010 just .366.  The Tides have to figure out a way to hit this year otherwise even the improving pitching staff will continue to lose games that on other teams that they would win.   Certainly the talent is there and the hitters are capable of better.  Could it be the change in the hitting coach that occurred with Richie Hebner replacing Dallas Williams who had held the job for four years?  If it is not Hebner certainly there has to be an explanation for this slump.  At the beginning of the season I was not concerned but coming up on a third of the way into the season I am becoming concerned about despite a number of games where the Tides appeared to have broken out of this collective slump but then lapsed back into it.

The Tides played tonight against the Pawtucket Red Sox and lost by a score of 6-0, more on this game tomorrow.

Meanwhile in Baltimore the Orioles defeated teh Royals by a score of 4-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning. Luke Scott hit 2 home runs off of last year’s Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke.  Former Tides outfielder Corey Patterson hit a home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to tie the game and give the O’s another chance to win.  Former Tides starter and now Orioles closer Alfredo Simon got the win.

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 17, 2010 · 07:04

Tides Edge Bisons 5-4 Gabino gets Win and Reimold Homers in Victory

Armando Gabino got his first win as a starter for the Tides

The Norfolk Tides broke a four game losing streak against the Bisons in Buffalo on sunny and mild Sunday afternoon in front of 5819 of the Bison’s’ “Herd.” Today the Tides had enough offense combined with effective pitching to edge the Bisons by a score of 5-4 at Coca Cola Field in Buffalo.

The Tides started Armando Gabino (2-0 1.89) today as their regular number three starter Chris George had been placed on the 7 day DL.  Gabino who had not started a game for the Tides working middle to late relief this year got his second win of the season holding the Bisons to one run on 5 hits in 5 innings striking out 6 in six innings of work in this his longest outing of the season.  Tides relievers managed to hold the potent Bisons offense with Ross Wolf, Denis Sarfate and Frank Mata combining to hold the Bisons to 3 runs on 3 hits with Mata (0-0 S7 2.04) getting the save.

Jeff Salazar had an RBI double

The Tides offense was powered by Nolan Reimold who had a 2 run home run in the 6th inning, Josh Bell with a double and 2 RBIs and Jeff Salazar with a double and an RBI.

The Tides jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning when Justin Turner doubled, Jeff Salazar walked and Josh Bell doubled to drive both men in for a 2-0 lead.  In the bottom of the second the Bisons got one of those runs back when Russ Adams doubled and was driven in by Andy Green who also doubled.  The score would remain 2-0 until the 6th inning when Nolan Reimold in his second game with the Tides and his first play first base since 2005 hammered a 2 run home run to give the Tides a 4-1 lead. The Bisons got both of those back in the bottom frame when Mike Jacobs doubled and Mike Hessman the all time Minor League home run leader walked both to be driven home when Russ Adams doubled.  In the top of the 7th inning the Tides scored again as Justin Turner singled and stole second base. Jeff Salazar then doubled to score Turner and extend the Tides lead to 5-3.  Valentino Pascucci homered in the bottom of the 8th inning against Denis Sarfate to narrow the lead to 5-4. Frank Mata came into the game to end the 8th inning and close in the 9th where he got Andy Green to fly out to Joey Gathright in center, Ruben Tejada to line out to Josh Bell at third where bell made a great stop diving to his right to catch the ball for the put out and prevent an extra base hit. Mata then got Jason Pridie to fly out to Gathright to end the game.

Bobby Livingston (1-5 4.35) took the loss while Gabino got the save. The teams complete the series on Monday night with Troy Patton should go to the hill for the Tides while the Bisons starter is not named on their website.  After that game the Tides will travel back to Norfolk to face the Pawtucket Red Sox in a 4 game series beginning Tuesday.

In Tides and Orioles personnel moves Alberto Castillo was called up to the Orioles while Andy Mitchell was brought back off the “taxi squad” while officially being assigned to sing “A” Aberdeen and Rhyne Hughes was optioned back to the Tides from the Orioles.

Alberto Castillo was called back up to Baltimore

In Baltimore the Orioles dropped their second game in a row to the Indians by a score of 5-1.

Until the next time,

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 14, 2010 · 00:01

Shutting the Other Team out for 26 Outs is not good enough: Tides Lose to Syracuse 2-1

“You got to get twenty-seven outs to win.” Casey Stengel

“You can’t sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You’ve got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That’s why baseball is the greatest game of them all.” Earl Weaver

Corey Patterson seen here with the Norfolk Tides hit his 1st Home run as a Oriole

Brandon Erbe must wonder what is going on. The young prospect was one out from winning his first AAA game when is disappeared like a fleeting cloud on a mid-summer day.  However it was not mid-summer and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky when Erbe watched his victory evaporate with two outs in the bottom of the 9th at Alliance Bank Field in Syracuse.

Erbe had pitched his best game of the season.  He allowed no runs giving up no hits and 4 walks in 7 innings work. Kam Mickolio came on in relief and had another strong outing and then closer Frank Mata who has been has been solid in relief blew the save and lost the game after getting the first two batters that he faced in the bottom of the 9th out.

The game was a pitcher’s duel all the way.  Syracuse starter Andrew Kown went 6.2 innings giving up one run on seven hits. Had it not been for the Chiefs’ two out comeback in the bottom of the 9th he would have taken the loss. Instead he was off the hook got a no decision instead and Jason Bergmann in relief got the win.

Michael Aubrey seen in 2009 had a double and scored the Tides only run

The Tides went ahead in the top of the 5th when Michael Aubrey led off with a double, advanced to second on a ground out by Robert Andino and scored when Michel Hernandez singled.  The Tides loaded the bases in the top of the 7th and could not score and left a runner on in each of the 8th and 9th innings.

Usually reliable Frank Mata blew the save and lost the game with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th

In the bottom of the 9th Frank Mata who has been almost lights out each time he has come into a game retired the first two batters. With two outs Chris Duncan a .244 hitter batting in the 7th position singled. Eric Bruntlett the third baseman a .219 hitter smacked a triple to right which scored Duncan to tie the game and blow the save. With one out and the runner on third and Mata facing catcher Deven Ivany the unthinkable happened.  Mata threw the first pitch in the dirt past Michel Hernandez who could not stop it and Brunlett scored easily giving the Chiefs’ the victory.

It was the kind of loss that tears the heart out of a team, a game that by all means the Tides should have won was lost on two hits by marginal hitters and a bad pitch by a solid closer.  For Erbe who has had nothing but trouble this year it seemed that he would have his first win after pitching his best game.  Instead of getting a 1-0 win the Tides went down to defeat by a score of 2-1.  The Tides had 1 run on 8 hits with 1 error and left 9 men on base.  The Chiefs who looked like they were going down in defeat got to celebrate the victory with 2 runs on 6 hits and no errors while stranding seven.

The Chiefs take the series 3 games to one and the Tides travel tonight to Buffalo where they will play the team that used to be the Tides, the New York Mets AAA affiliate the Buffalo Bisons with Chris Tillman (3-3 3.49) going up against Bisons’ knuckleballer R A Dickey (3-2 2.56).

Up in Baltimore the Orioles won their series against the Seattle Mariners by a score of 6-5 doing something that they have not been able to do in a long time by coming back from a four run deficit in the top of the 8th.  With recently promoted former Tides outfielder Corey Patterson starting the inning with a solo home run and Luke Scott slammed a grand-slam giving the Orioles the lead Mark Hendrickson got the win and former Tides pitcher Alfredo Simon got his 5th save.   The Orioles improve to 11 and 24 and have a two game winning streak going into their three game series at Camden Yards against the 13-9 Cleveland Indians.

Until tomorrow all the best,

Peace

Padre Steve+

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May 11, 2010 · 16:54

Tides Fall to Chiefs 4-3 in Syracuse

Jake Arietta pitched 7 innings but got a no decision

The Norfolk Tides travelled north to Syracuse on faced the Chiefs in the opening game of a four game series at Alliance Bank Field.  The Chiefs who are the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals lead the North Division of the International League with a record of 18-11 and are playing very good ball.  Even more surprising for the Nationals organization is that the Nationals have an 18-14 record and sit in second place in the NL East trailing the division leading Philadelphia Phillies by two games.

In front of a crowd of 3612 fans who braved temperatures that fell into the 40s as the night wore on and variable winds of 11 miles an hour the teams took the field.  Although it was cold the weather was nowhere near as bad as the weekend where two games between the Chiefs and the Gwinnett Braves were postponed due to winter weather including snow on Sunday. The Tides started Jake Arietta who faced Sharion Martis of the Chiefs. Arietta (3-1 1.67) pitched seven innings allowing 2 earned ruins on 4 hits.  He gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the 4th inning when after walking Josh Whitesell and then on a 1-1 count hit Mike Morris.  This brought up Pete Orr who bunted to Arietta who fielded the ball the throw was late to First Baseman Brandon Snyder but also wild which allowed Whitesell to score on the play.  Orr was given a hit on the play but Arietta the error as the throw enabled Whitesell to score and Orr to advance to second.

The Tides scored one run in the top of the 4th inning when Corey Patterson continued his ferocious hitting by launching a triple to right field and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Josh Bell his 20th RBI of the season.  The Tides would score again and tie the game in the 6th inning.  Corey Patterson walked to lead off the inning and was followed by Josh Bell who popped up to third baseman Pete Orr in foul territory.  Scott Moore then singled and Patterson was held at second base.  To the plate came Brandon Snyder who had a key role in the Tides win against the Mud Hens on Sunday. Brandon took a called strike from Martis and then fouled tow pitches off before taking ball one.  With a 2-1 count Snyder tripled to right to bring both Patterson and Moore home to tie the score.  Justin Turner struck out swinging and when the ball got away from catcher Carlos Maldonado Snyder attempted top come home. Maldonado threw to relief pitcher Drew Storen who tagged Snyder out at the plate to end the inning.

Brandon Snider had 2 2 RBI Triple in the top of the 6th inning

The game remained knotted at 3 until the bottom of the 8th inning. Arietta left at the end of the 7th and was relieved by Ross Wolf who has been very effective in relief this year.  Wolf faced Kevin Mensch who after working the count to 2-2 by fouling off four pitches took the seventh pitch and doubled to center.  Josh Whitesell singled to right fielder Michael Aubrey scoring Mensch.  Wolf would work his way out of the inning but the damage was done and the Tides were unable to score in the 9th inning despite a single by Corey Patterson and the Chiefs took game one by a score of 4-2.

Arietta went seven innings and got a no decision giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits. His problem came due to control; he gave up five walks and hit one batter as well as the throwing error that cost the run in the 4th inning.  Ross Wolf (0-2 2.89)  got the loss in relief giving up one run on two hits.  Chiefs reliever Ron Villone (1-1 9.53) got the win and Joel Peralta (0-0 S8) got his eighth save of the season.  The teams meet again on Tuesday with Chris George (1-1 4.50) getting the start for the Tides and Chuck James (2-0 4.85) taking the hill at home for the Chiefs.

The Tides made a number of personnel moves over the weekend sending pitcher Jim Miller and catcher Steve Lerud to Baltimore’s short season “A” team the Aberdeen Ironbirds, and activating pitcher Denis Sarfate and catcher Michel Hernandez from the disabled list.  Pitcher Jim Johnson who had been sent down from the Orioles last week was placed on the 7 day disabled list for elbow pain.

Peace,

Padre Steve+

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