Miranda, Martinez lift Tides past 'Pigs
Norfolk used an outstanding outing from Ariel Miranda and a grand slam from Ozzie Martinez to blank the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 6-0 Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park.
For the second straight outing Miranda (2-7) was excellent, as he fired six shutout innings while striking out five. The 27-year-old southpaw allowed three hits without walking a batter, facing just three batters over the minimum while throwing 62 of his 94 pitches for strikes.
Over his last two starts, Miranda has thrown 13.0 shutout innings, surrendering just four hits and one walk while striking out 14. He now has 68 strikeouts this season, second-most among Orioles minor leaguers.
Norfolk led the contest 2-0 entering the sixth inning before Martinez belted a grand slam deep to left field off of IronPigs starter James Russell (2-3). It was the second grand slam of the homestand for Martinez, who joined Rochester's Kennys Vargas as the only players to have multiple grand slams in the International League this season.
Over his last 132 games, Martinez has three home runs - each of which has been a grand slam.
Richard Rodriguez worked the final three innings in back of Miranda to complete the shutout, Norfolk's fifth shutout win of the season. The victory helped the Tides finish the homestand with a 4-3 record.
Norfolk heads to Columbus on Friday to kick off a six-game, two-city road trip. Scott McGough (1-1, 3.44) will make the start for the Tides and will be opposed by right-hander Mike Clevenger (6-0, 2.48). First pitch is set for 7:15.
Notes: Dariel Alvarez hit his 19th double of the contest, moving him into a tie for first in the International League…L.J. Hoes tripled, singled and scored a run, and he's now reached base safely in 15 of 16 games in June…Christian Walker reached base safely three times via a double, single and walk…Norfolk struck out just once in the contest.