LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The Norfolk Tides erased an early three-run deficit and scored four unanswered runs to defeat the Gwinnett Stripers 4-3 Thursday night at Gwinnett Field.
Norfolk (24-36) trailed 3-0 after four innings before beginning its comeback in the fifth. Tommy Pham cut the deficit to one with a two-run home run, his second of the season, bringing home Bryan Ramos and making it a 3-2 game.
The Tides pulled even in the sixth when Luis Vázquez delivered an RBI single, scoring Bryan Ramos after he reached on a walk.
Norfolk took the lead for good in the seventh inning. Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled and advanced into scoring position before Johnathan Rodríguez lined an RBI single to right field, giving the Tides a 4-3 advantage.
Pham finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk, while Encarnacion-Strand paced Norfolk’s offense with three hits. The Tides collected nine hits overall.
Norfolk starter Chayce McDermott German allowed three runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out seven. Relievers Chris Kachmar, Jean Pinto Espada and Andrew Magno combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings to preserve the victory.
Chris Kachmar earned his first win of the season, and Magno recorded his fourth save while lowering his ERA to 0.76. Gwinnett managed just one hit after the sixth inning.
The Tides and Stripers continue their six-game series today in Lawrenceville.
