Pauley stymies Durham; Tides take possession of 1st

NORFOLK

Facing a lineup stacked with left-handed hitters, David Pauley wasn't fazed. Relying on his sinker, he shackled the Durham Bulls and helped the Norfolk Tides seize sole possession of first place with a 4-3 victory Saturday at Harbor Park.

Pauley (7-6) threw six innings, scattered seven hits and didn't yield a run.

"I just tried to make them make contact," he said. "I tried to keep the ball down and make them put it in play."

Norfolk added to its 2-0 lead in the sixth inning when first baseman Brandon Snyder smashed a two-run home run - his first at the Triple-A level.

"Pauley kept us in the game and gave us a chance to get some runs," said Tides second baseman Justin Turner, who had an RBI.

Snyder's accomplishment came an inning before Jolbert Cabrera dislocated his right leg while attempting to avoid a tag by catcher John Jaso.

Cabrera's status is unclear. But the Tides (50-37) are now back atop of the IL South Division by a game over Durham (50-39). That much is certain.

"It's a tough club we're facing here and we're fortunate to come out on the winning end two games in a row," said Tides manager Gary Allenson.

"It's still a long ways to go, though."