Zach Clark tossed six shutout innings and Ryan Adams belted a three-run homer as the Tides sailed past the Gwinnett Braves 5-2 Wednesday night at Harbor Park.
Clark (4-1) yielded five hits and three walks in his outing as he helped the Tides snap a four-game losing skid. The 29-year-old UMBC product struck out five in the contest as he lowered his ERA to 1.03 in five games (four starts) for the Tides this season.
The victory was Clark’s 14th of the season, as he’s won 10 games with Bowie and four more since being promoted to Norfolk. His 14 wins are just one shy of Lehigh Valley’s Tyler Cloyd for the most in all of minor league baseball.
Brian Matusz made his first professional relief appearance in the contest, as he surrendered two runs on five hits in three innings to earn his first pro save. Matusz walked two and struck out five, throwing 38 of his 59 pitches for strikes.
The Tides got all the runs they would need in a five-run third inning, as Norfolk collected five hits and a walk while batting around to build a 5-0 lead. Adams’ three-run homer was the big blow of the inning, while Blake Davis and Xavier Avery each contributed RBI singles.
Jair Jurrjens (3-5) took the loss as he yielded three runs on two hits in two-plus innings. Jurrjens allowed the first three batters of the third inning to reach safely before departing due to dizziness, according to the Atlanta Braves. He will be further evaluated.
Davis, Avery and L.J. Hoes each had two hits apiece in the win.
The two clubs will continue their four-game series on Thursday afternoon, with first pitch from Harbor Park set for 12:15. Dana Eveland (4-4, 2.64) will take the hill for Norfolk against left-hander Yohan Flande (6-8, 3.96).
