Terrin Vavra and Nick Maton had 3-RBI days and Jackson Holliday singled home the Tides winning run
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides 9, Worcester Red Sox 8
Norfolk hitters saved the day, coming back from two deficits, including a two-out rally in the ninth inning. Daniel Johnson, quietly crushing it at the plate this season, walked to kick off the parade, Hudson Haskin singled, and Nick Maton got hit with a pitch. With the bases loaded and the Tides down 8-6, Maverick Handley hit a game-tying single. Jackson Holliday delivered the game winner.
NORFOLK TAKES THE LEAD!!!
Down 8-6 in the 9th with two outs, @MaverickHandley ties it up on a two-run single! Then @J_Holliday7 knocks in the go-ahead run to go up 9-8!!!#RisingTide pic.twitter.com/yzy2wZXrwz
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) May 26, 2024
The Tides had climbed out of a 3-0 hole in the third inning, scoring six straight runs as Terrin Vavra and Nick Maton traded RBIs. Vavra singled home a run in the third, then Maton hit a two-run single in the fourth. Back up at the plate in the fifth, Vavra hit a two-run home run. Not to be outdone, Maton homered in the sixth. After the late relief stumbled, the Tides found themselves down 8-6.
Norfolk pitchers allowed runs early and late with all of five Worcester home runs allowed. Justin Armbruester (9.32 season ERA but also 46 strikeouts in 37 IP) had what’s been a typical outing for him: three long balls allowed in three innings, but also seven strikeouts. The Tides were up 6-3 after six innings but two Tides pitchers combined to allow five runs: Corbin Martin, who allowed a two-run homer, and Bryan Baker, who gave up three runs in one inning.
Daniel Johnson finished 2-for-4 with a walk. Heston Kjerstad had a hit and a walk. Connor Norby had two hits.
Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels (SFG) 8, Bowie Baysox 7
A solid 13-hit, seven-run day for Bowie hitters was spoiled by a late bullpen collapse. Let’s start with the good: lots of hits for lots of top prospects. John Rhodes doubled on a 3-for-5 day, Anthony Servideo homered and singled home a run, Samuel Basallo had a two-hit day and Dylan Beavers hit a three-run bomb and walked.
The Baysox outhit the Squirrels thirteen to seven but three errors didn’t help. Trace Bright tossed a solid 4.2 innings with two runs (one earned) allowed. But the Baysox bullpen combined to allow six runs in the last three innings: Dylan Heid gave up an unearned one. Morgan McSweeney allowed two runs in the seventh inning. And Ryan Hennen allowed three (two earned).
High-A: Jersey Shore BlueClaws (PHI) 11, Aberdeen IronBirds 1
One to skip over quickly, as there was little good news coming out of Aberdeen, Maryland, on Sunday. The IronBirds allowed 11 runs, ten in one inning, and scored just one on three hits.
Start with the good news: Matt Etzel is still hitting, with a double to his name. Enrique Bradfield Jr. had one of the others, a single, and Douglas Hodo singled, stole a base, and scored on a wild pitch. OK, also news of the good variety was starter Luis de León’s outing, with 4.1 innings of one-run, four-hit ball allowed. Closer Randy Florentino was good, too, with 3.1 scoreless.
Now the bad: reliver Ronald Guzmán now has a 40.50 ERA after allowing six runs in the sixth inning while unable to record an out. That included four walks and two hits. Dominic Freeberger wasn’t much better, asked to close out the inning but allowing five more hits and a wild pitch.
Low-A: Columbia Fireflies (KCR) 7, Delmarve Shorebirds 3
The Shorebirds trailed the whole time, down scores of 3-0 and 7-1 before this one was over. Of five pitchers, only closer Isaac Solano didn’t allow a run. In fairness, though, starter Michael Forret was good, with seven strikeouts in 3.2 innings and two runs (just one earned). Jiorgeny Casimiri gave up one in 1.1 innings. Jared Beck gave up three runs in 1.2, and Randy Berigüete allowed another in 1.1 innings.
The offense was somewhat better than the final score indicates. Aron Estrada went 3-for-5, including hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Thomas Sosa singled and scored. Anderson de los Santos walked twice, including an RBI walk with the bases loaded to score a run. Outfielder Kevin Guerrero had two hits and catcher Chase Urman singled and scored. Box Score
Tuesday’s Schedule:
- Norfolk vs. Gwinett, 6:35. Starter: TBD
- Bowie @ Somerset, 6:05. Starter: TBD
- Delmarva @ Carolina, 6:30. Starter: TBD