Seven Runs in First Inning Lifts Tides to Series Opening Win

JACKSONVILLE, FL --- The Norfolk Tides (25-8) defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (17-15), 10-2, on Tuesday night at 121 Financial Ballpark. The Tides took the lead early with 10 runs through the first three innings, followed by 6.0 scoreless innings by the Norfolk bullpen.

Norfolk came out with a bang, with the Tides batting around without getting out in the first. The scoring broke open after an error. With two runners on, Jordan Westburg belted a three-run shot to make it 4-0. Daz Cameron ripped an RBI double, then Maverick Handley walked two batters later with the bases loaded to go up 6-0 with the bases loaded and none out.

Jeff Lindgren’s night was over as the Jacksonville starter without sitting any Tides down. One more run would be charged to him when Colton Cowser hit a sacrifice fly to make it, 7-0.

Jacksonville scored both of their runs in the third inning. Both runs scored on an error, with only one of the runs being earned. That would be the final inning Tides spot starter Noah Denoyer pitched, who started in the place of Drew Rom after he was recalled to Baltimore today. Denoyer allowed the two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out three.

Three more runs scored in the third for the Tides. Josh Lester knocked a two-run triple, then scored a couple batters later on an error, giving Norfolk the 10-2 lead.

The Tides bullpen would combine for six scoreless innings from there. Morgan McSweeney, who ended up earning the win, went two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Cole Uvila followed him for 2.0 innings with a punch out. Nick Vespi tossed a scoreless inning, retiring three of four batters faced. Phoenix Sanders shut it down for Norfolk, his first finished game this season, to seal the, 10-2, win.

After the series opening win, the Tides have a quick turnaround with a 12:05 p.m. game tomorrow. Norfolk is scheduled to start LHP DL Hall (0-1, 3.38) while LHP Sean Nolin (1-0. 3.24) is the probable for Jacksonville.

POSTGAME NOTES

Wild Wild West: Hitting his ninth home run of the season was Jordan Westburg, who went 1-for-6 with three RBI...he leads the team in homers and is tied for eighth in the International League...he’s homered in four of his last six games and is tied for the league lead in homers during May...Westburg has 32 RBI, ranking second in the league, while boasting a .596 slugging percentage which ranks 10th in the IL...he now has 27 career home runs with Norfolk, tied for seventh all-time as an Orioles affiliate (since 2007) with Kyle Stowers and Nolan Reimold...they trail Rhyne Hughes' 28 homers...Westburg and Stowers are also tied for 13th in O's affiliate history with 106 RBI, trailing Chance Sisco (107).

The 'Pen Is Mightier: Tides relievers continued to be effective last night as a combination of Morgan McSweeney, Cole Uvila, Nick Vespi, and Phoenix Sanders tossed 6.0 scoreless innings in relief, combining to allow five hits and five walks while stiking out five...the Tides bullpen is posting a 3.41 ERA, ranking second in the International League (Nashville, 3.33).

Holy Cowser: In the leadoff spot, Colton Cowser went 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, an RBI and two walks...it was the fourth time he’s reached four times safely this season, which leads the team...he's record two walks in back-to-back games, the second time this season (April 23 - 25)...Cowser's nine runs scored in May ranks tied for second in the league, while his eight walks rank tied for seventh and his .533 on-base percentage ranks tied for ninth...for the season, Cowser leads the league in runs (36), while ranking second in walks (29) and third in on-base percentage (.456).