Syracuse 10, Tides 4

THE SYRACUSE CHIEFS had scored just three runs combined the past five times starter Kane Davis was on the mound. On Friday, they paid him back for the nonsupport – with interest.

Hit parade

Davis, who allowed four runs on 10 hits in six innings, wasn’t exactly Cy Young out there. But, for once, he didn’t need to be. The Chiefs highlighted their 15-hit attack with three home runs, including a three-run blast by No. 9 hitter Jeff Bannon in the fifth inning that broke open a 5-4 score.

Matt Watson added a two-run shot in the third inning and Adam Lind lined a solo homer off the leftfield foul pole in the fourth.

Still scuffling

Meanwhile, the struggles of Tides starter Jon Leicester continued. Leicester, who came into Friday’s game having allowed at least six runs in each of his previous four starts, surrendered five more runs – all earned – and eight hits in four innings.

“Sometimes you can make mistakes and good things will still happen for you. Jon’s not getting away with anything,” Tides manager Gary Allenson said. “But his pitch selection isn’t the best, either.

“Sooner or later, he’ll figure it out.”

The loss was Leicester’s fourth since May 8.

The rough start was a rarity for Norfolk hurlers of late. In the first three games of the current homestand, Norfolk’s starting pitchers did not allow an earned run. The trio of Radhames Liz, Hayden Penn and Chris Waters surrendered just one unearned run on 16 hits in 19u2154 innings.

Streak-buster

The loss foiled Norfolk’s bid for a season-high four-game winning streak, which would have also matched the team’s longest since becoming a Baltimore Orioles affiliate in 2007.

The Tides have won three straight on three different occasions this season.

Welcome back …sort of

Davis’ resume includes an ultra-brief stint with the Tides – he pitched one inning in one game for Norfolk in 2002.

Still hitting

The Tides, who came in leading the International League in hitting (.269), pounded out 12 hits . The biggest was Adam Stern’s two-run double down the leftfield line in the fourth that got Norfolk within a run . But, with the tying run at second, Davis struck out Brandon Fahey and Luis Terrero to end the threat.

The Tides stranded 10 on base.

Oops

One night after committing six errors, the Chiefs had three more miscues in the first three innings Friday before fielding flawlessly the rest of the night. One of the errors was charged to third baseman Chip Cannon, who had four of them in Syracuse’s Thursday-night debacle at Harbor Park.

Next up

Tonight’s 7:15 game with Syracuse will feature the stylings of Reggy the talking mascot, also known as “The Purple Party Dude.”