Oscar Salazar smacked a two-run home run. Luis Terrero blasted an RBI double. And the Tides scored eight runs. But it wasn’t enough to defeat Indianapolis Sunday at Harbor Park.
The Indians defeated the Tides 9-8, generating enough offense against starter Radhames Liz before Nick Walker’s solo home run to right field off Norfolk reliever Andy Mitchell helped produce the winning margin in the seventh inning.
Family matters
Manager Gary Allenson was not in the dugout and nowhere to be found at Harbor Park on Sunday. He left the team to attend his son’s graduation ceremony at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Don Werner, the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league catching instructor, served as Allenson’s temporary replacement Sunday. Werner’s claim to fame is that he caught the only no-hitter in Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver’s career when both were playing for the Cincinnati Reds. He has managed six minor league teams since 1989.
Finding his swing
Not too long ago, Tides infielder Mike Costanzo’s batting average had dipped below .200. He was chopping pitches into the dirt and striking out regularly. But in the nine of his last 11 games, Costanzo has picked up at least one hit and he is beginning to find his groove again.
“I’m being more relaxed and more patient up there,” said Costanzo, who went 6 for 15 in the series against Indianapolis with a home run.
Down and out
Norfolk catcher Chris Heintz left the game in the top of the fifth inning after he was involved in a collision at home plate with Indians center fielder Andrew McCutchen. The play began when Josh Wilson slapped a single to right field. Tides outfielder Chris Roberson retrieved the ball andthrew home to Heintz to in an attempt to nab lead runner Josh Wilson. However, Wilson was safe and then fired the ball to shortstop Brandon Fahey after Walker had taken a wide turn around first base. Fahey tagged Walker and then whipped the ball back to Heintz as McCutchen dashed towards the plate.
After McCutchen jarred the ball loose from Heintz’s glove, he calmly walked to the dugout. Heintz, though, was slow to get up and after the team trainer attended to him he was soon replaced by Omir Santos before the bottom half of the inning. Heintz was later taken to the hospital, where X-Rays were performed.
“He twisted his thumb,” Werner said. “It swelled up when I went out there.”
Catching a thief
Before he was injured, Heintz nabbed Matt Kata at second base after the Indians infielder attempted a steal in the fourth inning. It was one of the rare times the Tides have been able to punish greedy opponents on the basepaths. Entering the game Sunday, Norfolk had caught only 10 of the 45 runners who attempted to steal a base.
Going Batty
Norfolk (12-17) will face Louisville over the next four days. Last month, the Tides and the Bats split the series when they played in Louisville. Starter Homer Bailey, the Cincinnati Reds’ top pitching prospect, will take the mound today for Lousiville.
Louisville (RHP Homer Bailey, 4-2, 2.29 ERA) vs. Tides (RHP Hayden Penn, 1-2, 5.70 ERA) at Harbor Park at 7:15 p.m.
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Rainer Sabin, 757-446-2367 or rainer.sabin@pilotonline.com