Tim Hudson at Harbor Park

The Gwinnett Braves scored five unearned runs in the ninth inning to rally for a 7-4 win over Norfolk Tuesday night at Harbor Park.

 

Trailing 3-2 entering the final frame, the Braves sent nine men to the plate against Norfolk closer Alberto Castillo (2-2), who suffered his first blown save in 13 chances this season. Chris Burke led off the frame with a single to ignite the rally, and after a strikeout and stolen base Brian Barton reached on a fielding error by Blake Davis that put runners at the corners with one out. Castillo then issued back-to-back walks to force in a run and knot the score at 3-3 before Wes Timmons gave the Braves the lead with a sacrifice fly. Brooks Conrad then broke the game open with a three-run homer to deep left field, giving the Braves a 7-3 advantage.

 

Norfolk plated a run in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Snyder and had the tying run at the plate with two outs, but Vladimir Nunez retired Guillermo Rodriguez on a groundout to end the threat and record his fifth save of the season.

 

The Tides had been 52-2 when leading after eight innings this season.

 

With the loss, Norfolk dropped a season-high seven games behind the Braves for first place in the IL South division and four games back of Durham in the IL Wild Card chase.

 

Tides starter Chris Waters turned in a very strong effort in the contest, as he yielded just three hits and a walk in 5.2 innings. Waters struck out four, throwing 54 of his 83 pitches for strikes.

 

Gwinnett starter Tim Hudson yielded two runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings of work, striking out one without walking a batter. The 34-year-old, who is recovering from offseason "Tommy John" surgery, threw 54 of his 78 pitches for strikes.

 

Melvin Dorta and Justin Turner each had three hits apiece to pace the Tides offense, which pounded out 14 hits in the contest but stranded 11 men on base.

 

Norfolk and Gwinnett will square off again Wednesday night, with first pitch from Harbor Park scheduled for 7:15. Jake Arrieta (4-6, 4.59) will take the hill for the Tides against veteran southpaw John Halama (4-4, 4.35).