The Norfolk Tides entered their series with the Durham Bulls having won five of their last six. Things were clicking, and it was looking like Buck Britton had found a way to spark his talented club.
After facing the Bulls for six games, the Tides split the series three games a piece to bring their season record to 11-7, holding second place in the Triple-A Southeast Division.
During the week, the Tides placed Kyle Brnovich on the seven-day IL with a right elbow strain and are awaiting word on how much time he will actually miss. Though a blow to the rotation, there are plenty of arms to step in and fill the void.
One arm in particular making waves this week is the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, Grayson Rodriguez. With John Means lost for the season, the clock is ticking as to when he will join the Oriole staff and make his major league debut.
Only time will tell, but Rodriguez did make his scheduled start this week for the Tides, a 3-0 win on Wednesday.
For the game, Rodriguez was his dominant self, pitching 5.1 innings of shutout ball. He would allow one hit and walk, while striking out eight, lowering his season ERA to 1.26.
Rodriguez is now 2-0 across three games and 14.1 innings pitched, with 23 strikeouts to just two walks. He has held opponents to a .109 batting average, while possessing a WHIP of 0.49.
Rodriguez, of course, wasn’t the only pitcher to make noise this week. Former first-round pick Cody Sedlock was integral in the Tides’ Tuesday come-from-behind 7-5 win.
Sedlock would enter with the Tides losing 5-0 and would pitch four innings of scoreless ball, striking out five along the way.
Though his outing on the 24th would last three innings, giving up four runs, Sedlock receives recognition for his standout performance on the 19th.
Sedlock’s record stands at 2-0 on the year and has struck out 17 in 13 innings, allowing only three walks.
Cole Uvila makes his way into our top players this week, as he would pitch in three more games against the Bulls.
Uvila would pitch an inning each game, picking up two saves and allowing no hits. He still has yet to allow a hit or a run across eight innings this year, holding a 1-0 record through seven games.
On offense, catcher Brett Cumberland had a coming out party this week. Not only did he hit the 5,000th home run in Norfolk Tides history, he would go 7-for-16 (.438 BA) with nine RBIs across four games this week.
Cumberland’s biggest game came in Thursday’s 11-6 loss to the Bulls. He would go 3-for-4 with five RBIs, collecting two home runs and a double in the losing effort.
On the season, Cumberland is now hitting .273 with three home runs and nine RBIs, while slugging .909.
Tyler Nevin makes his way back into our stand-outs this week. Though he started the week 1-for-11, he would end the week going 9-for-12.
In the Tides’ 5-4 loss on Friday, Nevin would collect a double and home run with a stolen base, on his way to a three-hit game. He is now slugging 1.026 with a .382 average and has two home runs with 15 RBIs and three stolen bases.
Shortstop Richie Martin is trying to make his way back to the majors by showing off this season. This week, Martin would play strong defense and bat .400 for the Tides.
In the Tides’ Tuesday 7-5 victory, Martin would lead the way to propel the team. Ending up a homer shy of the cycle, Martin’s eighth inning triple would put the Tides in front for the first time all game.
Martin is batting .293 with a homer and seven RBIs, while swiping three bases so far this season. Martin also has zero errors across 70 innings at shortstop on the year.
One honorable mention this week is O’s No. 8 prospect, right-hander Kyle Bradish. Though his team fell in the game, Bradish would pitch six innings, giving up three runs, one earned, allowing three hits and striking out eight.
Opponents are batting .148 against Bradish on the season. He is now 2-0 in three games with 17 strikeouts in 15 innings and a 1.20 ERA.
The Tides will travel to Lawrenceville, Georgia, to take on the Gwinnett Stripers starting Tuesday at 11:05 a.m. EST.
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