Monday night at Harbor Park: Tides 5, Columbus 2

A four-run first inning was enough to carry the Tides to their second consecutive victory over Columbus. Starting pitcher Hayden Penn excelled Monday, lasting seven innings and allowing five hits while throwing only 88 pitches. Bob McCrory finished off the Clippers, picking up his fifth save of the season

“Pitching and hitting - it’s all been better,” Tides manager Gary Allenson said.

Encouraging performance

For the second consecutive start, Hayden Penn threw seven complete innings and allowed only two earned runs. It was a significant achievement for the Tides’ righthander who earlier this season was maddeningly inconsistent and also inefficient - achieving high pitch counts while exiting games early.

“It’s a good feeling,” Penn said.

Manager Gary Allenson was encouraged by Penn’s performance.

“He’s figuring things out,” said Allenson, who noted that Penn’s curveball was particularly effective.

Penn’s ability to command his pitches Monday allowed him to remain on the mound, he said. Penn never faced more than five batters in the inning.

“I was trying to attack the strike zone,” Penn said. “And I had some good defense.”

A good month

The Tides (48-61) are on the verge of achieving the most wins in a month since August 2001. Back then, Norfolk won 18 games in 31 days. With 17 victories in July, Norfolk needs one more win to tie the mark.

“The team is finally coming around,” said outfielder Tike Redman. “We never expected this. But it shows what character we have.”

Norfolk’s recent success can be directly attributed to their performance at the plate. The Tides are batting .293 in July and have scored 142 runs this month - more than any team in the International League.

Still, despite all they have accomplished since the end of June, Norfolk won’t tie the 36-year-old franchise record of 22 victories in a month.

“Right now, we are playing really well,” said Tides catcher Chris Heintz said. “The guys have a lot of energy on the field. It’s made it a lot easier. It’s just a lot better environment.”

Hundred times six?

When the Tides sent nine players to the plate and pounded out six hits in the first inning, they demonstrated just how potent they can be.

“We have done it several times this season,” Allenson said.

This year, three Tides - Oscar Salazar, Luis Terrero and Eider Torres — have collected more than 100 hits this season. And three more - Mike Costanzo, Tike Redman and Chris Roberson - have produced more than 90.

Only one time since Harbor Park was built in 1993 has a Tides team had six players pass the century mark, when seven accomplished the feat in 2000.

“We’ve been swinging the bats well,” Redman said.

Lehigh Valley (LHP Les Walrond, 4-7, 2.83 ERA) vs. Tides (TBA) at Harbor Park at 7:15 p.m.

Promotion: Marvel Comic Book giveaway to the first 5,000 fans.