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Norfolk had a four-run lead before the game was a half-inning old, but host Charlotte rallied for a 9-5 victory Saturday night in Fort Mill, S.C.
The Tides (62-72) used six hits in the first inning - all but one of them singles - to snag a 4-0 lead against Charlotte's Wes Whisler (12-9), but it didn't last. The Knights scored twice in the bottom of the inning against Norfolk starter Bob McCrory. After the Tides added one in the top of the third, Charlotte's Brad Eldred hit his 35th homer of the season, a three-run shot against reliever Cory Doyne, to tie it at 5.
Charlotte (60-75) took a 6-5 lead in the fifth when Josh Fields scored on a throwing error by reliever Gary Knotts (2-6). The Knights added a run in the sixth and two more in the eighth.
Norfolk used six pitchers - none lasting more than two innings - and all but Ryan Bukvich (a scoreless seventh) surrendered a run. Mike Costanzo went 3 for 4 with two RBIs for Norfolk; Eider Torres was 3 for 5 with a run.
The teams meet again at 5:15 p.m. today.
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