Homer points the way as Mud Hens roll past Tides

NORFOLK

It didn't take long before Chris Waters knew his latest start was not going to be a good one.

Toledo's leadoff hitter, Wilkin Ramirez, smacked Waters' third pitch into the picnic area, and the Mud Hens rolled to a 9-4 victory Tuesday at Harbor Park.

"It was no one's fault but my own," said Waters, who didn't make it out of the third inning after allowing six earned runs and three walks.

On a hot, muggy day, the Tides fell behind by eight runs before staging a brief rally in the sixth inning that was capped by Jolbert Cabrera's two-run home run to right.

"We got back in it somewhat," Tides manager Gary Allenson said. "But it didn't happen."

The loss gave the Tides their second consecutive series loss. After an off day today, Norfolk hits the road to face Indianapolis on Thursday.

"It's a chance to relax and recharge their batteries," Allenson said. "You ask a lot of these guys what they are going to be doing, they are going to say, 'I'm going to lay around.' "

- Rainer Sabin