The Norfolk Tides ended their homestand on a thrilling note, scoring three runs in the ninth inning to overcome the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 6-5 before 4,755 on a pleasant Sunday at Harbor Park. Dylan Beavers drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the winning run.
Trailing 5-3 entering their final at-bat, the Tides (16-28) never made an out in the ninth as they won for the second time in a six-game International League series.
Luis Vázquez greeted reliever Seth Martinez with a single to right field, and Terrin Vavra doubled to center. Chadwick Tromp lined a single to right for his third hit and third RBI of the game, and Jacksonville (28-17) intentionally walked pinch hitter Samuel Basallo, the Baltimore Orioles’ top prospect. Fernando Peguero grounded a tying single to left field, keeping the bases loaded.
Beavers worked his way to a 3-1 count, and the Shrimp challenged the “ball” call on the next pitch. The automated ball-strike system confirmed that the pitch was too low, ending the game.
Tides starter Cameron Weston struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings, giving up six hits, two walks and three runs (two earned). Relievers Levi Stoudt and Rodolfo Martinez yielded a run apiece, but Matt Bowman (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory.
Coby Mayo hit a first-inning homer for the Tides. Jacob Berry led the Shrimp with a two-run homer in the fifth and an RBI single in the eighth.
The Tides next will go to Minnesota for six games against a rare opponent — the St. Paul Saints, the Twins’ top affiliate. The opener will be at 12:07 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.