Tides Lose Series Finale as Comeback Falls Short

The Norfolk Tides were unable to comeback and tie the game in the ninth coming just one run short to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. They lost 4-3, with the Tides going 1-5 in this series heading into another seven-game home series.

Adley Rutschman back for the Tides after playing limited in the previous game, as a pinch hitter, doubled in his first-at bat. He scored after a single by Tyler Nevin allowed him to cross home plate. The Tides go up 1-0 in the first inning. Rutschman is on a four-game hit streak, the longest streak he has had in the 15 games he has played with the Tides. His longest hit streak this year is seven games, from 6/5 to 6/11, which he achieved while playing with Double-A Bowie.

In the fourth inning, the Jumbo Shrimp catcher Payton Henry belts his third home run of the year, just barely fair to far left field. The Jumbo Shrimp have hit a home run in eight consecutive games, which tied them at 1-1 with the Tides.

The Jumbo Shrimp kept their hot hand as they homered yet again. This one coming from Nick Fortes in the sixth inning. Two Tides pitchers, starter Dean Kremer and reliever Kyle Bradish each gave up a home run to the Jumbo Shrimp.

At the top of the seventh inning the Jumbo Shrimp went up 4-1 after they hit a triple, double, and a single. Joe Dunand hit a ball far back to right field allowing him to round the bases to third, his first triple this season. Justin Twine with the next at-bat hit a double on a line drive to left field allowing Dunand to score easily. A ground out by Bryson Brigman setup Twine as he advanced to third. On third, Twine scored off Monte Harrison’s single to left. The Jumbo Shrimp were up, 4-1, after seven innings with eleven hits.

The ninth inning for the Tides, consisted of two runs, two hits, and two walks for them to come within one score of the Jumbo Shrimp. Richie Martin singled and stole second base allowing for Bannon to be walked onto first. Another walk thrown by Jumbo Shrimp Andrew Bellatti puts Tyler Nevin at first, loading the bases for the Tides.

Pat Valaika’s line drive single to center field brought in Martin and Bannon in to score. The Tides were unable to tie or win the game as the last batter had struck out, leaving the Tides to lose 4-3. In this series with the Jumbo Shrimp this will be the 4th game in the series that was won within one run.

The Tides had a terrible time hitting in this game, finishing the game with five hits. They were held scoreless for seven straight innings, until the ninth inning. The Tides have been on a hitting slump going 32-for-185 in at-bats this series, with a .173 batting average as a team.

Starter Dean Kremer started in his 13th game for the Tides. He pitched 4.0 innings, allowing four hits. He was responsible for the Payton Henry home run in the fourth inning. He has given up on home runs in his last two appearances for the Tides. Even so he struck out three while he held the Jumbo Shrimp scoreless through three innings.

The Tides will start a new homestand against the Charlotte Knights on August 31st to finish out the month of August. The next game will be on Tuesday, August 31st at Harbor Park at 7:05 p.m. for Langley Speedway/ NASCAR Night.