Durham defeats Tides 9-8

The past three games against Durham show why the Tides fit the mold of a losing team. They received stellar pitching Friday and Saturday, but tallied a total of three runs and lost both.

Norfolk's bats finally came alive Sunday, but the pitching and defense faltered. It's a formula for losing, and the Tides have now dropped four straight.

Familiar problems

In what seems like a weekly habit, the Tides' defense let them down. Shortstop Robert Andino committed errors on consecutive plays in the sixth, ultimately leading to four unearned runs. Reliever Pat Egan induced four consecutive grounders - none hit particularly hard - without recording an out.

"I just got bad jumps costing me to get the short hops," Andino said. "... I'll take the blame. We should have won that game."

By the numbers

130 Errors committed by the Tides this season (most in the International League).

 58-71 Tides' record (11th out of 14 teams).

 68 Errors committed by Durham (fewest in the IL).

 81-47 Durham's record (best in the IL).

You're outta here

The Tides lost a key run in the sixth. With the bases loaded and the score tied, first-base umpire Stephen Barga called Brandon Snyder out on an attempted check swing. The pitch would have been ball four and forced in the go-ahead run.

Snyder slammed his helmet to the ground, and Barga immediately ejected him. Snyder declined to comment afterward.

Down to the wire

Despite the miscues and pitching woes, Norfolk still had a chance to win. The score remained tied into the ninth inning when Durham plated the go-ahead run.

Rocco Baldelli led off with a double against Alberto Castillo and scored on an Angel Chavez's sacrifice fly. Chavez finished 4 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs.

Tides manager Bobby Dickerson usually uses Castillo as a left-handed specialist, but he allowed Castillo to face righties in the ninth Sunday because Norfolk will need its bullpen today. Starter Chris George is returning from the disabled list and will be on a tight pitch count.

"Someone had to pitch," Dickerson said. "I could have gone to someone, but tomorrow I have George for three or four innings and someone has to pitch the rest of that one."

The man in blue

Veteran major league umpire Chuck Meriwether spent the weekend evaluating the umps from the Harbor Park press box. Meriwether has worked two World Series (2004, 2007) and two All-Star Games (1996, 2002).

Knee problems forced him to sit out this season, and he said he plans to go on disability for a couple years before retiring.

"It's just like any player - as umpires, we all hope to get to the World Series," Meriwether said. "I've been lucky enough to do that and have a pretty nice career."