Game Recap: Norfolk Tides at Gwinnett Braves 4/14
The Norfolk Tides lost the first game of a two game series against International League South Division opponent the Gwinnett Braves by a score of 5 to 4. The Tides’ record on the year is now 3-8 despite the early excitement of the starting rotation.
Mike Wright, the Tides’ starting pitcher, pitched well despite giving up 4 runs, 2 of which were unearned. In 5.0 innings, Wright allowed 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4. This start was very similar to Wright’s first, though this was plagued by errors.
In total the Tides made three errors, the first coming in the bottom of the third. Shortstop Alexi Casilla made a throwing error on a potential inning-ending play to first base which allowed two runs to score and gave the Braves a 2-1 lead.
The Tides would respond quickly however. In the next half inning, David Adams hit a two run double which gave the Tides the lead again. In the bottom half of the fourth, Alexia Casilla made another throwing error which again allowed two runs to score.
In the fifth, Sean Kazmar tripled home the go ahead run after the Tides regained the lead in the top of the inning by the way of an error from third baseman Philip Gosselin.
The story of the night however was the Gwinnett Braves bullpen. After starting pitcher Zach Stewart allowed four runs, three earned, off nine hits in 5.0 innings, the Braves bullpen pitched four scoreless innings. Wirfin Obispo recorded the win, pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts with Ryan Buchter getting his first save of the season in hitless ninth.
The Braves’ Sean Kazmar led the team in offense for the night going 2 for 3 with a RBI triple and scored a run. For the Tides, DH Brett Wallace went 3 for 4, all singles, and scored 2 runs.
On the mound tonight for the Tides is Kevin Gausman (0-0, 2.08) who will go up against Cody Martin (0-1, 6.43) of Gwinnett. Depending on weather, the game will start at 6:35.
