Norfolk Tides Weekly Recap: Encarnacion-Strand Powers Late Turnaround as Tides Win Back-to-Back

The Norfolk Tides endured another difficult stretch to begin July, but a pair of dramatic victories at Harbor Park provided some badly needed momentum for the Baltimore Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate.

Norfolk went 2-3 in completed games from July 3 through July 9, losing two games against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders before splitting a doubleheader and winning an extra-inning thriller against the Syracuse Mets. Weather also affected the schedule, postponing two games and canceling another before it became official.

The Tides finished Thursday night with a 32-57 overall record and a 4-10 record in the second half of the International League season. Norfolk remained in 10th place in the International League East, but consecutive victories Wednesday and Thursday marked the club’s first back-to-back wins since June 3 and June 4.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand delivered the biggest offensive production of the week. José Barrero continued to supply power and versatility, while Luis Vázquez played the hero in Thursday’s walk-off victory. On the pitching side, Yaqui Rivera provided valuable innings in multiple roles, and Nestor German came within two outs of leading Norfolk to an impressive road victory.

July 3: RailRiders Edge Tides, 3-2

Norfolk opened the weekly window with a narrow 3-2 loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at PNC Field.

The RailRiders scored twice in the second inning. Owen Cobb opened the scoring with an RBI double before Jonathan Ornelas added an RBI single. Norfolk answered in the fourth, tying the game on an RBI single from Barrero and a fielder’s choice that brought home another run.

Neither offense could break through again until the seventh inning. Kenedy Corona eventually scored the deciding run on a wild pitch, putting Scranton/Wilkes-Barre back in front, 3-2.

Norfolk’s pitching staff struck out seven batters over eight innings and held the RailRiders to three runs, but the Tides could not capitalize on enough of their offensive opportunities. Norfolk collected only five hits and left eight runners on base.

Rivera started the game and helped keep Norfolk within striking distance. The right-hander has quietly become one of the most dependable pitchers on the Tides’ staff, working as both a starter and reliever throughout the season.

Barrero supplied Norfolk’s most important hit of the night. The veteran infielder and outfielder has provided power, patience and defensive flexibility despite an inconsistent team-wide offensive season.

July 4: Rain Postpones Saturday’s Game

Norfolk and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre did not play July 4 because of rain.

The game was postponed and added to the following day’s schedule as part of a planned doubleheader. That decision created a difficult situation for the Tides, who faced the possibility of playing two shortened games Sunday before returning home to open a series against Syracuse.

Weather continued to interfere with the series the following afternoon.

July 5: Walk-Off Grand Slam Wastes German’s Strong Start

The Tides appeared positioned to earn a road victory in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, but the afternoon ended with one of their most painful defeats of the season.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre defeated Norfolk 5-2 when Ornelas hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning.

German gave Norfolk five scoreless innings and handed the bullpen a late lead. The right-hander limited traffic, worked efficiently and continued an encouraging stretch in the Tides’ rotation.

Norfolk’s offense managed only three hits, with both runs scoring on fielder’s choices. The limited production left little margin for error, but German’s performance made the two-run output appear as though it could be enough.

Hans Crouse took over in relief and entered the final inning attempting to protect Norfolk’s advantage. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre loaded the bases before Ornelas ended the game with one swing.

The loss overshadowed an excellent outing from German, who has been one of Norfolk’s most durable starters. Through his first 79 innings of the season, German owned a 4.44 ERA with 88 strikeouts, leading the Tides in both innings pitched and strikeouts. His 15 starts also led the club entering the remainder of the Syracuse series.

The second game of Sunday’s doubleheader began but was canceled because of inclement weather before it became an official contest. Statistics accumulated before the cancellation did not count.

Norfolk therefore finished its trip to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with another series loss and returned to Harbor Park searching for an offensive reset.

July 7: Series Opener Against Syracuse Postponed

Rain followed the Tides home.

Tuesday night’s scheduled series opener against Syracuse was postponed because of inclement weather. The teams rescheduled the game as part of a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday, with both contests scheduled for seven innings.

The postponement gave Norfolk another unexpected day without a completed game. It also forced the Tides to navigate their second planned doubleheader in three days.

July 8, Game 1: Syracuse Controls 9-3 Tides Loss

Norfolk’s return to Harbor Park began with a 9-3 loss in the opening game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Syracuse immediately took control by scoring twice in the first inning and twice more in the third. The Mets broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning, stretching the margin beyond Norfolk’s limited offensive reach.

The Tides managed only four hits.

Norfolk struggled to generate sustained rallies or make Syracuse’s pitchers work through extended innings. The early deficit forced the Tides to chase the game, while the Mets consistently added pressure against Norfolk’s pitching staff.

The nine runs allowed continued a troubling trend for the Tides. Through 88 games, Norfolk’s pitchers had surrendered 488 runs and posted a 5.05 team ERA. Opponents had also hit 107 home runs against the staff.

Norfolk’s offense entered the end of the week batting .231 with a .705 OPS. The Tides had hit 100 home runs, but their 920 strikeouts reflected the swing-and-miss issues that repeatedly disrupted potential scoring opportunities.

July 8, Game 2: Encarnacion-Strand Delivers 3-2 Comeback

The second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader offered a much different performance.

Norfolk rallied for a 3-2 victory, snapping its losing streak and ending the evening with a split.

Chris Kachmar allowed two runs as Norfolk’s starter, but the bullpen prevented Syracuse from adding to its lead. Rivera followed with 2 2/3 scoreless innings, stabilizing the game and giving the offense time to respond.

José Espada recorded the final four outs without allowing a run. Espada struck out one batter and earned the victory.

Norfolk trailed 2-1 entering the sixth inning before Encarnacion-Strand changed the game. The first baseman and designated hitter drove a two-run double into the outfield, scoring the tying and go-ahead runs.

The late hit represented exactly what Norfolk had lacked during much of the preceding week: damage with runners in scoring position.

Encarnacion-Strand entered Thursday as Norfolk’s leader with 43 RBIs. His combination of contact and power has made him the most consistent run producer in the lineup.

Rivera’s performance was equally important. Through his first 32 innings with Norfolk, Rivera had recorded a 1.97 ERA and 38 strikeouts while allowing only 22 hits. He had appeared in 11 games, making seven starts, and continued to provide manager Buck Britton with flexibility.

July 9: Vázquez Walks Off Syracuse in 10 Innings

Norfolk carried its momentum into Thursday and earned its most exciting win of the week.

The Tides defeated Syracuse 5-4 in 10 innings, winning consecutive games for the first time in more than a month.

Syracuse scored twice in the first inning, but Norfolk responded quickly. Barrero hit a solo home run in the second inning, cutting the deficit in half.

The home run was Barrero’s 18th of the season. He continued to lead Norfolk in home runs while serving as one of the club’s most productive all-around offensive players.

Norfolk surged ahead in the third when Encarnacion-Strand launched a three-run home run. The blast scored Johnathan Rodríguez and Heston Kjerstad, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead.

Syracuse eventually fought back to force extra innings, but Norfolk did not let another late opportunity slip away.

Vázquez brought home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th, giving the Tides a 5-4 walk-off victory. The celebration supplied a rare moment of relief for a club that had lost several close games and repeatedly struggled to finish late leads.

The win moved Norfolk to 4-10 in the second half and 32-57 overall. It also gave the Tides a series lead over Syracuse heading into the weekend.

Player of the Week: Christian Encarnacion-Strand

Encarnacion-Strand earns MSB’s Tides Player of the Week honor.

The 26-year-old delivered the winning two-run double in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader before hitting a three-run homer Thursday. Those two swings accounted for five of Norfolk’s eight runs across its two victories.

Encarnacion-Strand finished Thursday with a .272 batting average, 15 home runs, 43 RBIs and an .838 OPS in 58 games with Norfolk. He also had 13 doubles and 32 runs scored.

His power has become essential in a lineup that has struggled to produce consistent offense. Encarnacion-Strand ranked second on the team in home runs and first in RBIs following Wednesday’s doubleheader. His .535 slugging percentage led Norfolk players with at least 200 plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand’s ability to drive the baseball to different parts of the field also gives him value beyond his home-run total. The decisive double Wednesday came in a tight, low-scoring game, while Thursday’s homer erased an early deficit.

Norfolk needs more hitters to consistently create pressure around him, but Encarnacion-Strand supplied the biggest swings when the Tides finally began turning close games into victories.

Other Hitters to Watch

José Barrero

Barrero remained Norfolk’s leading home-run hitter after launching his 18th Thursday.

Through 76 games, Barrero was batting .230 with 17 home runs, 39 RBIs, 43 runs, seven stolen bases and an .813 OPS before Thursday’s statistics were added. Barrero had also drawn 36 walks, helping him produce a .340 on-base percentage despite his modest batting average.

The 28-year-old contributed an RBI single July 3 and homered July 9. His versatility allows Norfolk to use him at shortstop, in the outfield or elsewhere when roster movement creates openings.

Strikeouts remain an issue, but Barrero’s power and athleticism give him the ability to change games.

Heston Kjerstad

Kjerstad remained one of Norfolk’s most productive hitters entering the weekend.

The outfielder carried a .289 average with 10 doubles, five home runs, 22 RBIs and a .756 OPS through 42 games. Kjerstad’s strikeout total remained elevated, but his ability to hit the ball hard continued to stand out.

Kjerstad scored on Encarnacion-Strand’s three-run homer Thursday and remains a key part of Norfolk’s lineup whenever he is available.

The biggest question remains whether Kjerstad can translate his Triple-A offensive production into sustained success in Baltimore. Continued improvement against quality breaking pitches and left-handed pitching would strengthen his case for another Major League opportunity.

Johnathan Rodríguez

Rodríguez entered the end of the week batting .284 with 14 doubles, four home runs, 21 RBIs and a .795 OPS through 58 games.

His 34 walks helped produce an impressive .382 on-base percentage. Rodríguez has not supplied the same home-run production as some of Norfolk’s other power bats, but his combination of contact, patience and extra-base ability has made him a useful middle-of-the-order option.

Rodríguez scored ahead of Encarnacion-Strand’s homer Thursday.

Ryan Noda

Noda continued to provide some of the best on-base production on the roster.

Through 53 games, Noda was batting .270 with a .390 on-base percentage and an .818 OPS. He had six home runs, 14 RBIs, 24 walks and five stolen bases.

Noda’s plate discipline has been particularly valuable for a Norfolk offense that entered Thursday ranked near the bottom of the International League in several categories.

Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Bradfield’s raw speed remains one of the most intriguing tools in the Orioles’ farm system.

The former first-round pick was batting .260 with 16 stolen bases in 36 Triple-A games. He had scored 24 runs while producing a .321 on-base percentage.

Bradfield still needs to improve his overall offensive impact, particularly his ability to reach base consistently. However, few players in professional baseball can create as much pressure once they reach first.

Pitchers to Watch

Yaqui Rivera

Rivera was Norfolk’s most impressive pitcher during the weekly period.

The right-hander contributed in the July 3 loss before throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings in Wednesday’s victory. His season ERA stood below 2.00, and he had struck out more batters than innings pitched.

Rivera’s 38 strikeouts in 32 innings demonstrated his ability to miss bats. His 19 walks remained the primary concern, but opponents had struggled to square him up consistently.

A continued run of quality appearances could place Rivera among the most interesting depth arms in Baltimore’s upper minor-league system.

Nestor German

German deserved a better result Sunday.

Five scoreless innings placed Norfolk in position to win before the bullpen surrendered the walk-off grand slam. German’s ability to provide length has been important for a staff frequently affected by transactions, rehabilitation assignments and bullpen games.

German owned a 4.44 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 79 innings. He had allowed only seven home runs over 15 starts and two relief appearances.

The overall ERA does not jump off the page, but German has become one of the more stable members of Norfolk’s rotation.

José Espada

Espada recorded the win Wednesday and continued his effective season out of the bullpen.

The right-hander held a 2.90 ERA through 31 innings, allowing 22 hits while striking out 27. Espada had posted a 3-1 record with one save through 23 appearances.

His 18 walks remain an area to monitor, but Espada has consistently limited damage and performed in important late-game situations.

Andrew Magno

Magno remained Norfolk’s statistical bullpen leader despite not serving as the central figure in this week’s completed games.

The left-hander had a remarkable 0.51 ERA through 35 1/3 innings, allowing only two earned runs. Magno had struck out 36 and surrendered just one home run.

Magno’s 19 walks prevented the numbers from being completely dominant, but his ability to limit hits and avoid hard contact has made him one of Norfolk’s most reliable relievers.

Weekly Assessment

Norfolk’s 2-3 record did little to repair the overall standings, but the manner in which the Tides finished the week mattered.

The first portion of the stretch featured many of the problems that have defined the season. Norfolk struggled to produce hits, wasted a strong starting performance and suffered another crushing late loss. Weather created additional complications and disrupted the pitching schedule.

The final two games finally brought a different result.

Encarnacion-Strand produced in high-leverage moments. Rivera and Espada kept a close game within reach. Barrero supplied power, and Vázquez delivered the walk-off moment Thursday.

Norfolk still has significant flaws. The Tides entered the weekend batting .231 as a team while their pitching staff carried an ERA above 5.00. They had been outscored by 121 runs through 88 games and remained at the bottom of the International League East.

However, development remains more important than the standings at Triple-A.

Encarnacion-Strand is producing consistent power. Bradfield is gaining experience against advanced pitching. Kjerstad continues to hit for average, while Rivera, Espada and Magno are giving the organization several intriguing pitching options.

The Tides’ challenge is turning those individual performances into more complete team baseball.

For two games at Harbor Park, Norfolk finally did that.