Tides topple Charlotte at Harbor Park

By Jocelyn Syrstad

THE NORFOLK TIDES put together two four-run innings and three batters combined for four home runs in Sunday's 11-7 victory. Despite giving up three home runs, Chris Tillman recorded the win and improved to 3-2 on the season.

Hot at the Plate

Six Tides had hits Sunday and all nine batters reached base as they went 11 for 35 at the plate.

Four Tides had a multiple-hit game and three had multiple RBIs.

Brandon Snyder went 3 for 3 with a walk, two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored. John Hester and Brendan Harris also hit homers in the second and third innings, respectively.

"I was able to relax and trust my hands a little bit more," Snyder said. "The last couple of days, I was trying to force a few things instead of just seeing the ball. I faced a couple of guys tonight that I've faced before and that helped me relax a little more and produce for my team."

Hester went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and scored a run. Harris went 1 for 3 with a walk, two RBIs and two runs. Tyler Henson went 2 for 4 with an RBI and scored two runs.

Rough Outing

Although Tillman got the win, it came in one of his roughest starts since being sent down to Norfolk in the beginning of June.

The right-hander gave up five runs on seven hits, matching his season-high for earned runs. He struck out three and walked three. Tillman also gave up a home run in three consecutive innings. He had given up only three home runs for the Tides prior to Sunday's game, and it was the first time he allowed more than one home run in an outing.

The pitcher said his struggles came from being inconsistent. "I just have to be more consistent with my off-speed stuff," Tillman said. "When it's not there, it's tough to pitch. It was a rough one out there for me tonight."

This and That

All but one of the seven home runs Sunday were to left field. Five batters hit homers as Alejandro De Aza and Snyder each hit two. The starting pitchers gave up six of those blasts.

"I don't think I've ever seen that many home runs hit in one game, maybe in spring training, but definitely not at Harbor Park," Snyder said.

Six of Ryan Adams' last nine hits have been doubles. The second baseman has hit a double in four of the past six games. He went 0 for 4 Sunday, but reached when hit by a pitch in the eighth.

Tonight's game in Charlotte has been pushed back 15 minutes to 7:30 because of pre-game festivities.