Tides 3, Pawtucket 2

A comeback in the ninth inning provided Norfolk with an opportunity to extend its winning streak to seven games. First, the Tides erased a two-run deficit in the ninth. Then, after the Tides loaded the bases in the 11th against PawSox reliever Chris Smith, Luis Terrero grounded into a fielder's choice that brought Tike Redman home to break the deadlock.

"In every aspect of the game, we're playing better," Norfolk starting pitcher Andy Mitchell said.

Game-saver

Not long before the Tides sealed the win, Joe Thurston seemed to be on his way to putting Pawtucket ahead in the 10th inning. He had just laced a pitch thrown by Rocky Cherry down the right field line. The ball kicked off the wall, rolling underneath the glove of Chris Roberson toward the middle of the field.

Roberson quickly regrouped and then launched a throw from the warning track.

"At that point, I was just like, 'I'm going to get him,'" Roberson said.

Seconds later, the ball landed in the glove of Mike Costanzo and he applied the tag to Thurston as he attempted a slide.

"I don't think I ever had one like that," said Roberson, who leads the International League in outfield assists with 15. "That was pretty good."

Hitting their stride

Not since the season began have the Tides won more than 11 games in a single month. But that seems likely to change. The Tides are 9-1 in July, the best record in the International League.

A season-high seven-game winning streak has buoyed Norfolk, which has benefited from consistent performances by its starters and relievers.

The Tides' offense has also improved. Entering the Pawtucket series, Norfolk had scored a league-high 63 runs this month.

Yet it's been the sudden resurgence by the Tides' starters that has been most responsible for the turnaround.

"It all started with the starting pitching," Norfolk manager Gary Allenson said. "They have given the hitters confidence."

From May 21 to July 3, Norfolk didn't have a pitcher who had stayed on the mound for seven innings. But during their winning streak, the Tides have had three starters reach or pass that benchmark. On Thursday, Andy Mitchell pitched into the eighth inning, the longest a Tides pitcher gone this season.

"Over the season, it evens out," Mitchell said. "We're getting stronger and we're getting better.

Mitchell confounded Pawtucket's batters with his submarine delivery. He allowed only five hits and dueled with Pawtucket starter Edgar Martinez, who held the Tides scoreless during the five innings he pitched.