Lehigh Valley hands slumping Tides their eighth straight loss

Lehigh Valley scored early and often Tuesday night, cruising to a 7-0 victory against visiting Norfolk in the first of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.

Brandon Fahey's 3-for-3 showing couldn't help Norfolk against its cellar-dwelling counterpart from the International League's North Division. Jon Leicester (2-3) took the loss for the Tides, who saw their losing streak reach eight games.

Only one Norfolk baserunner made it to third base, which was on an IronPigs error in the sixth inning. Only four Tides reached second.

Les Walrond (1-2), who allowed five hits in seven innings and struck out five without walking a batter, earned the win for Lehigh Valley.

The IronPigs backed Walrond up with a four-run third inning. Brandon Watson and Rich Thompson singled, then scored when former Tide Mike Cervenak hit his fourth homer. Jason Jaramillo later singled to score Andy Tracy, who reached on a walk.

Oscar Salazar had a single and a stolen base for Norfolk, which faces Lehigh Valley again at 7:05 p.m. today.