Devon Witters
The Norfolk Tides defeated the Rochester Red Wings 5-3 Saturday
Tides put pressure on the Red Wings early, as Rochester starter Fernando Romero allowed two walks and a single to the first three batters. A bases loaded fielder’s choice from Pedro Alvarez gave Norfolk a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Luis Sardinas cleared the bases on a two-RBI double to extend the lead to 3-0.
In the top of the seventh, the Tides gave starting pitcher David Hess more room to work with after a sacrifice fly from Ruben Tejada handed Norfolk a 4-0 lead. The Tides added a single run in the top of the eighth to take a 5-0 lead, prompting Romero’s exit from the contest. Romero pitched 7.2 innings, allowing seven hits, five earned runs and three walks with three strikeouts. Romero threw 96 pitches, 61 for strikes. Tyler Duffey relieved Romero and worked around a walk before getting the third out of the inning.
Hess was outstanding, giving up just two hits over 7.0 shutout innings. He walked five, struck out nine, and threw 104 pitches – 65 for strikes.Former Red Wing Tim Melville came on to work the eighth inning for Norfolk.
Michael Lehr
Aberdeen, MD: Willie Rios went 5.0 innings, only giving up one hit in another solid performace for the lefty facing a team from his home state of Connecticut. It was not enough on this night as the Tiger’s pitching staff shut down the ‘Birds for a 2-1 victory.
RIOS COMES UP HUGE: Willie Rios was in some trouble early. In both the first and second inning, Rios had runners in scoring position with nobody out. In the first, he was able to go unscathed as he induced a doube play ball to change the momentum of the inning. Then in the second, Rios limited the damage by recording another twin-killer off the bat of Clark Brinkman. Coming in to score the Tigers first run on the bases loaded double play ball was Gresuan Silverio.
Other than the second inning run, Rios was flat out dominant. He ended up striking out three and walking three Tiger hitters. but only allowed one hit in the five innings he pitched tonight.
TORRES TRIPLE: Irving Ortega openened up the 3rd with his first hit with the IronBirds this season and then Alexis Torres would do the rest. He smashed a 91 mph fastball from the big lefty, Adam Wolf, for an RBI triple. It would tie the game at one a piece. It was Alexis Toress’ first triple of the year.
RELIEVER’S SHINE: Both squads got huge performances from their pen. For Connecticut, Tirak Skubal, was lights-out in his three innings of relief. He struck out five and gave up zero runs, only walking one and giving up four hits.
For the ‘Birds, they got a dynomite two innings of relief from Tyler Joyner. He didn’t give up a hit or a run and struck out two.
TIGERS POUNCE IN 9TH: Tigers newcomer, Jeremiah Burks, came through for the tigers in the 9th. He reached with an infield single that would score the go-ahead run in the 9th on a slow roller in between first and second. IronBirds Second-baseman, Alexis Torres, snatched the groundball but his throw was off line to ‘Birds closer, Diogenes Almengo and it allowed Sam McMillan to score from second. That was the difference in tonight’s ball game.
