CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Norfolk waited until the top of the 9th before they erupted offensively for three runs as they defeated the Charlotte Knights, 6-3.
Joely Rodriguez (2-2) pitched 2.1 scoreless relief innings to record the victory. Starting pitcher, Tim Melville threw 6.0 innings, scattering 7 hits and giving up 3 runs (1 unearned) in a non-decision outing for Norfolk (24-19).
CF Charles Tilson went 3 for 5 for the Knights (17-28) and Rob Scahill (2-2) took the loss with that miserable 9th inning performance.
Using five consecutive singles by 1B Garabez Rosa, LF Jaycob Brugman, SS Adrian, Marin, 2B Sharlon Schoop and CF Mike Yastrzemski, Norfolk broke the 3-3 tie, scoring those three runs and taking the lead for good.
Charlotte used single runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 6th to match Norfolk’s single runs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th to force the tie score after six innings.
In tomorrow’s four-game series finale, both starting pitchers are officially listed as TBD. First pitch is 7:04 PM.
NOTES: In 9 games since joining the Tides on May 15th, Yastrzemski is batting .375 (12 for 32), including a double, four triples and a home run. His OPS currently stands at 1.237.
Norfolk has now jumped 0.5 games ahead of the Rochester Red Wings (22-18) for the only wild card playoff spot. The Tides are currently 2.5 games behind the Durham Bulls (27-17) for first place in the International League South standings.
After going on a five-game win streak, Melville is 0-1 in his last two starts, giving up six earned runs in 10.1 innings.
