The Norfolk Tides erupted for seven runs in Friday night’s fourth inning and went on to beat Memphis 9-2 before 6,228 at Harbor Park.
Billy Cook enjoyed a rare accomplishment, providing two run-scoring hits in the same inning.
Brandon Young (2-0) gained the victory with five strong innings, giving up just one hit and no walks while striking out four in his fourth Norfolk game. Trey McGough followed with three shutout innings.
The Tides (34-33) went ahead of the Redbirds (35-32) in the first inning against left-hander Zack Thompson (2-2). Heston Kjerstad doubled off the top of the wall and scored while Cook reached base on a fielding error by former Tides second baseman César Prieto.
Norfolk then had an offensive feast in the fourth inning. Cook belted a home run to left, Daniel Johnson cleared the fence in right, newcomer Anthony Servideo hit an RBI single and Kjerstad socked a ground-rule double to left-center. Servideo, Baltimore’s third-round pick in 2020, was making his Tides debut after being called up from Double-A Bowie.
Cook capped the uprising with a sharp two-run single he grounded to left field, bringing home Kjerstad and Connor Norby.
Johnson had three hits and two RBIs, and Kjerstad and Cook each had two runs, two hits and two RBIs.
Each team has won two games so far in the series, which continues with a 6:35 p.m. game Saturday, followed by fireworks. Julio Teheran (0-0, 15.75 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for Norfolk against Memphis left-hander Michael McGreevy (3-6, 5.01).
Saturday, the Tides saw left-handed reliever Nick Vespi called up by Baltimore to replace right-handed starter Kyle Bradish, who was sent to the 15-day injured list with a sprain of right ulnar collateral ligament.
