On a Sunday afternoon Heston Kjerstad won’t forget, the Norfolk Tides ended the International League’s first half in disappointing fashion. They squandered a five-run lead in a 7-6 loss to Lehigh Valley before 8,110 at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The Tides finished the first half 36-39, losing five of six in the series to the IronPigs (34-39). Norfolk will open the second half at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at Harbor Park against Charlotte on Turn Back the Clock Night.
Kjerstad’s day was rare if not unprecedented. One of the IL’s top players was ejected in the third inning after being hit by three pitches — comprising all of his plate appearances — by Lehigh Valley starter David Parkinson and reacting enough to be thrown out by plate umpire Pete Talkington. Two of those pitches came in that third inning, in which Norfolk scored all of its runs.
Kjerstad was plunked in the first inning, when Parkinson escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam with a double play and a strikeout. Parkinson hit Shayne Fontana in the second inning but got an inning-ending double play.
In the third, Kjerstad reached base in between Connor Norby’s single and Coby Mayo’s walk. Billy Cook then belted a grand slam to left field to put the Tides ahead 4-1. Norby’s run was his 162nd all-time as a Tide, breaking L.J. Hoes’ record for Norfolk in its era as a Baltimore affiliate, which began in 2007.
Noelberth Romero’s single to left and Norby’s sacrifice fly to right drove in Norfolk’s last two runs.
The last hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, and Kjerstad was replaced by pinch runner Donta’ Williams. Mayo fouled out to end the inning.
Tides starter Justin Armbruester gave up four earned runs, three hits and three walks in five innings, striking out five. Jim Haley’s three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth cut Norfolk’s lead to 6-4.
Lehigh Valley completed the comeback off reliever Carlos Tavera (1-1), who gave up seven hits and three runs in three innings.
In the seventh, Kody Clemens scored on Weston Wilson’s groundout. In the eighth, Ruben Cardenas clubbed a tying homer before Scott Kingery singled to center against a drawn-in infield to drive home Cody Roberts with the eventual winning run.
IronPigs relievers David Buchanan, Max Lazar (2-1) and Tyler Gilbert combined to shut out the Tides on four hits in the last six innings.
Omaha clinched a berth in the IL championship series with the league’s best first-half record. The team that posts the best second-half record will join the Storm Chasers, the Kansas City Royals’ top affiliate, in that series.
Final International League first-half standings
(GB refers to games behind the league leader. Omaha clinched a berth in the IL championship series by posting the best first-half record.)
EAST DIVISION
Team (parent);W-L;Pct.;GB
Syracuse (Mets);46-28;.622;3.5
Scranton/W-B (Yankees);43-31;.581;6.5
Rochester (Nationals);38-35;.521;11.0
Buffalo (Blue Jays);37-37;.500;12.5
Durham (Rays);36-39;.480;14.0
Norfolk (Orioles);36-39;.480;14.0
Jacksonville (Marlins);35-40;.467;15.0
Worcester (Red Sox);35-40;.467;15.0
Lehigh Valley (Phillies);34-39;.466;15.0
Charlotte (White Sox);33-41;.446;16.5
WEST DIVISION
Team (parent);W-L;Pct.;GB
Omaha (Royals);49-24;.671;–
Louisville (Reds);38-36;.514;11.5
St. Paul (Twins);38-36;.514;11.5
Memphis (Cardinals);38-37;.507;12.0
Nashville (Brewers);38-37;.507;12.0
Toledo (Tigers);35-39;.473;14.5
Gwinnett (Braves);35-40;.467;15.0
Indianapolis (Pirates);33-40;.452;16.0
Iowa (Cubs);33-42;.440;17.0
Columbus (Guardians);32-42;.432;17.5
