Norby’s big night gives Tides 2-0 lead

His two-run homer was one of three hits

Connor Norby had three hits, including a two-run homer, and Norfolk’s relievers tossed 4 scoreless innings as the Tides topped the Worcester Red Sox 6-3 before 7,985 fans Wednesday night at Polar Park in Massachusetts.

The Tides (78-49, 30-23 in the season’s second half ) took a 2-0 series lead and have won nine of their past 11 games. Worcester

(70-57, 31-21) has fallen into a first-place tie with Durham (71-56, 31-21) in the International League’s second-half standings. The Bulls’ game against Nashville was postponed due to rain.

Norfolk left fielder Daz Cameron continued a torrid stretch with two more hits, including an RBI double that gave the Tides a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Cameron has multiple hits in four straight games and is hitting .433 in his past eight contests.

Lewin Diaz added a two-run single in the third to give Norfolk a 3-0 lead.

The Red Sox chipped away, scoring single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings off Tides starter Justin Armbruester to pull within 4-3. Armbruester left after 4 innings, giving up six hits, striking out six and walking three.

Norby gave Norfolk the cushion it needed, going the opposite way for a two-run shot in the top of the seventh. It was his 17th homer of the season. He has a five-game hitting streak and is 11 for his last 24 (.458).

T.J. McFarland (4-2) relieved Armbruester in the fifth and tossed 2 scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Joey Krehbiel

pitched a perfect eighth, and Wandisson Charles worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth to secure his fifth save.

Tides batters finished with 12 hits and reached on 11 walks.

Worcester starter Shane Drohan (4-7) gave up three runs on five hits in three innings, with four strikeouts and four walks.

Left-hander John Means was scheduled to make his second rehab start for the Tides on Thursday night against the Red Sox. The former MLB All-Star, who has thrown a no-hitter, allowed a run in 4 innings against Durham last Friday.