Tides give up 7 runs in 9th

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Trailing 12-5 in the ninth, Gwinnett took advantage of five walks and an error to knot the score at 12-12.  Willie Eyre surrendered two hits and two walks while recording one out in the frame before giving way to Jon Link, who issued three walks sandwiched around a dropped fly ball by Scott Beerer.  Link was relieved by Pat Neshek, who yielded a game-tying two-run single to Jose Constanza before getting Stefan Gartrell to line into an inning ending double play. 

The Braves won the contest in the 11th, as Constanza lofted a two-out, two-run triple off of Steve Tolleson, allowing two unearned runs to score.  Tolleson was making his second-ever pitching appearance after pitching a scoreless inning for Triple-A Tuscon in 2011.   

The win gave the Braves a sweep of the three-game set. 

The Gwinnett rally spoiled a big offensive day from Norfolk, which pounded out 14 hits in the loss.  Jai Miller led the way with a two-run double and a three-run homer, while Xavier Avery added three hits, including his first Triple-A home run.

Constanza finished with three hits and four RBI in his first game with Gwinnett, while Stefan Gartrell added a home run, single and four RBI. 

Cory Gearrin (1-0) earned the win for Gwinnett with two shutout innings of relief, while Adam Russel worked around two hits in the 11th for his first save of the season. 

The Tides will welcome the Charlotte Knights to town for a four-game set, beginning Thursday night at 7:15.  Chris Tillman (0-1, 8.31) will take the mound for Norfolk against right-hander Dylan Axelrod (1-0, 1.50).