Norfolk Tides Weekly Recap: Bradfield Runs Wild, Kjerstad Homers, Povich Returns to Triple-A

The Norfolk Tides had another uneven week, going 2-4 since last Friday while continuing to search for consistency in the second half of the International League season.

Norfolk entered Friday at 2-7 in the second half, sitting near the bottom of the International League East standings. The Tides’ overall record sat around 30-53, showing how difficult the season has been despite several major-league-caliber players moving through the roster.

The biggest roster note is clear: Dean Kremer is no longer part of the Norfolk picture after being recalled by Baltimore, while Cade Povich has been optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk. Povich is now one of the arms to watch every time through the Tides rotation.

Weekly Results

Friday, June 26: Durham 4, Norfolk 1
Kremer gave Norfolk everything it could have asked for in what became his final Triple-A rehab/start before returning to Baltimore. Kremer threw 6.2 scoreless innings, allowed only two hits, walked one and struck out eight. Norfolk still lost after the bullpen gave up late runs, wasting one of the best Tides pitching performances of the week. Enrique Bradfield Jr. had three hits and stole four bases.

Saturday, June 27: Postponed
Norfolk’s game against Durham was postponed by weather and moved into a doubleheader.

Sunday, June 28 Game 1: Durham 7, Norfolk 0
The Tides’ offense disappeared in the first game of the doubleheader. Norfolk managed just one hit, a Ryan Noda double, while Durham controlled the game early.

Sunday, June 28 Game 2: Norfolk 2, Durham 1
Norfolk bounced back with one of its cleaner wins of the week. Bradfield’s speed helped create pressure, while Bryan Ramos and Heston Kjerstad contributed offensively. Yaqui Rivera, Dietrich Enns and Nick Raquet combined to hold Durham to one run.

Tuesday, June 30: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 3, Norfolk 2
The Tides dropped a close one to the RailRiders. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre broke a late tie with two runs in the seventh inning, and Norfolk could not answer enough offensively.

Wednesday, July 1: Norfolk 9, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 5
Norfolk’s best offensive game of the week came in a 9-5 win. Heston Kjerstad homered, and the Tides put together the kind of run support that has been missing too often this season.

Thursday, July 2: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 7, Norfolk 3
Povich returned to the Triple-A spotlight and pitched into the fifth inning, but Norfolk fell 7-3. Kjerstad hit his fifth home run of the season, while Bradfield added two stolen bases and scored twice.

Top Performer: Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Bradfield was the clear spark plug. Earlier in the week, he was already sitting on a 6-for-13 stretch with five stolen bases, and he kept adding to that total with more havoc on the bases against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Power Watch: Heston Kjerstad

Kjerstad had a productive week with multiple home runs, including one in the 9-5 win and another in the 7-3 loss. The power is still the carrying tool, and Norfolk needs that bat to stay loud if the lineup is going to climb out of its slump.

Pitching Note: Cade Povich Back in Norfolk

Povich being optioned gives Norfolk a legitimate rotation piece again, but the next step is command and efficiency. Povich pitching into the fifth was a start, but the Tides need him to give them length and keep crooked innings off the board.

MSB Take

The Tides are struggling, but this week still had real positives. Bradfield looks like a difference-maker with his speed. Kjerstad is showing power. Kremer did exactly what he needed to do before returning to Baltimore. Povich gives Norfolk a starter worth watching every five days.

The problem remains the same: Norfolk is not playing complete baseball. One night the pitching is good and the offense disappears. Another night the bats show up and the staff gives too much back. That is why the Tides are sitting near the bottom of the International League East.

For Orioles fans, Norfolk is still worth following closely. Bradfield’s speed is real. Kjerstad’s power is real. Povich’s starts matter. The standings are ugly, but the individual player development still matters for Baltimore.