Mayo’s go-ahead HR in ninth caps another offensive show
They didn’t score double-digit runs for once, but the Norfolk Tides still found plenty of offense as they edged Charlotte 9-8 before 6,156 fans Thursday night to go ahead 3-0 in their International League series at Truist Park.
Coby Mayo provided the big blow for the Tides, breaking an 8-8 tie with a solo home run to left-center in the ninth inning.
The Tides (5-1) had set numerous club offensive records in Wednesday night’s 26-11 rout of the Knights. Norfolk’s nine runs were the fewest it has scored in a victory.
Matt Krook (1-0), new this year to the Baltimore organization, gained the victory, though fellow left-hander Luis González — who worked the ninth for a save — was the only one of four Norfolk pitchers not to yield a run. Prelander Berroa, Charlotte’s sixth pitcher of the night, took the loss.
Tides starter Chayce McDermott gave up three runs (two earned) and two hits in 3 ⅓ innings, walking five and striking out five. Chesapeake native Garrett Stallings gave up three earned runs and six hits in 2 ⅔ innings. Charlotte scored twice against Krook and got two hits in his two innings.
Heston Kjerstad, who set a Tides record with 10 RBIs Wednesday, added three more Thursday. Jackson Holliday was 1 for 3, walked twice and scored twice, and shortstop Nick Maton clubbed a solo homer in his Norfolk debut.
The Tides’ Maverick Handley was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs and two RBIs. His blast to left field in the eighth put Norfolk ahead 8-7, but Charlotte’s Danny Mendick responded in the eighth with a tying homer.
Carlos Pérez led the Knights (1-5), the top affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, by going 4 for 5.
The six-game series continued Friday night and Game 5 is scheduled for 6:05 tonight.