The Norfolk Tides are playing up and down baseball in the second half. Splitting more series than winning has put them in fourth place, four games behind the division leader.
Norfolk recently played the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and split the series, their fourth split in the last eight series. The Tides sit at 36-27 (84-52 overall) in the second half.
Though they will be in the postseason, as they won the first half division title, they need to figure out a way to start winning series and build momentum going into the playoffs.
Let’s see who stood out this past series for the Tides:
LEWIN DÍAZ – 1B
Lewin Díaz caught fire against the Jumbo Shrimp, going 10-19 (.526 average) across five games in the series. He had multi-hit efforts in each game he played while driving in five runs and scoring four runs while extending his on-base streak to 21 games in the process.
In Sunday’s 11-2 Tides’ victory, Díaz would have his best game of the series. He would go 2-for-3 at the plate, hitting a double and walking two times. He would score two runs and drive in a run as well on the day.
For the season, Díaz is now slashing .271/.364/.452 across 108 games. He has scored 58 runs and collected 102 hits, including 16 home runs, while driving in 60 runs and walking 54 times.
MIKE BAUMANN – RHP
Mike Baumann was working on developing into a bullpen pitcher for the Orioles. Having a fairly decent season, Baumann was sent down as part of a reset and a log jam of arms in the bullpen.
For the Tides, they were getting a pitcher who was having a decent first season out of the pen, which would only help to stabilize the Norfolk pen going forward. Baumann would pitch in two games this series, covering two innings without allowing a run or a hit.
Since joining Norfolk, Baumann has appeared in five games, pitching five total innings. He has given up just one hit, no runs and is holding opponents to a .067 batting average. His WHIP stands at 1.20 as he has walked five batters but has struck out seven as well while also picking up a save.
CADE POVICH – LHP
Cade Povich is developing into a strong left-handed pitcher, another one picked up by GM Mike Elias in a trade.
This series, Povich pitched one of his best games at the Triple-A level. In Sunday’s victory, Povich would lead the way with 5.2 innings of two-hit ball. Though a run would score (zero earned) on two errors in the third and a bases loaded walk (four walks in the outing), Povich would strike out nine batters and limit the damage.
Povich improves to 2-3 in eight games (eight starts), pitching a combined 34.1 innings while compiling a 6.03 ERA. He is holding opponents to a .197 average against and has struck out 39, but he needs to get his walks down, which is contributing to his 1.43 WHIP.
The Tides were off on Monday before welcoming the Memphis Red Birds to town. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m. EST at Harbor Park.
This is the second to last series and last home series of the regular season. Be sure to get out and see the Tides and cheer them on before the postseason starts.
Who stood out to you this week for Norfolk? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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