Stop the Presses!

Last night, Norfolk beat Gwinnett 6-3. That, in itself, is surprising, given the Tides’ record going into the game. But not just the win — there were several other pleasant surprises:

• The game was played in less than three hours. After a series of slowish games, this was nice.
• Slumping Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell both delivered impressive hits. Snyder smoked a double off the right-field wall and smacked a solid single up the middle. Bell pulled a fliner down the right-field line, past the Braves’ right fielder.
• After two terrible starts, Tides lefthander Troy Patton was in command, pitching most impressively. He allowed only a two-run home run by Braves prospect Freddie Freeman in his six innings.
• The Tides let Frank Mata pitch the ninth inning. The surprise here is that Mata bailed out Chris George in the eighth inning; and the Tides had only a three-run lead. Normally, you (1) wouldn’t bring your closer in in the eighth inning or (2) not bring in your closer with a save situation.