The Norfolk Tides are winding down their season. Though their overall record (87-56) looks great, their second-half record (39-30) isn’t bad, but it is a far cry from the .649 ball they were playing in the first half.
Against the Memphis Redbirds, the Tides would continue a trend, as they split their fifth series of the second half (out of nine). Though they are assured of a playoff spot from winning the first half division title, they are coasting in the second half and finding it a bit harder to beat the teams they walked all over before the break.
In the Redbirds series, Norfolk’s offense scored four runs or less in four of the games, and the pitching allowed 10, 13 and seven runs in three of the last four games. It was another up and down series that saw struggles at different times for the young team.
Let’s see who stood out this series for Norfolk.
JACKSON HOLLIDAY – INF
A lot of fans are waiting to see how the No. 1 overall prospect is doing in Norfolk. This week, he started to show improvement and adjustments in the top minor league level.
Though he hit .250 for the series, he reached base 11 times in 24 plate appearances.
In Thursday’s 12-10 Tides’ victory, Holliday would have his strongest game of the series. The 19-year-old would go 2-for-3, including a double and his first Triple-A home run, while driving in a run, scoring a run and walking two times in 12 games.
Holliday has scored nine runs, drove in four and four of his nine hits have gone for extra bases (three doubles and home run). What’s really impressive is Holliday has struck out eight times but walked 10 times in the top minor league level.
COBY MAYO – INF
Coby Mayo has had himself an amazing season. Earlier in the year, he had a 33-game on-base streak and is currently in the middle of a 15-game on-base streak as the postseason looms.
For the month, Mayo has hit in 12 of the 15 games he has played in, totaling 13 walks and 18 hits. This past series, Mayo kept his streak alive, as he collected hits in four of the six games, with two multi-hit games.
Mayo’s best game came in Friday’s 13-4 loss. Though the Tides lost, Mayo would go 3-for-5 at the plate, including a home run, as he picked up an RBI while scoring twice.
In Norfolk, Mayo has played in 56 games, compiling a .260/.386/.505 slashline. He has hit 11 home runs while driving in 47 runs and scoring 30 himself. Of his 50 hits, 24 have gone for extra bases, including 12 doubles and a triple, as Mayo has picked up 36 walks as well.
GARRETT STALLINGS – RHP
With Chayce McDermott hurt and Cade Povich getting a lot of glory lately, it was time for another pitcher to step up and take charge. That pitcher would end up being right-hander Garrett Stallings.
On Wednesday’s 3-2 Tides’ victory, Stallings (W, 7-4) would enter in the third inning of the game. He would end up pitching seven innings, allowing three hits and a walk, giving up just one run and striking out seven.
Stallings is now 10-6 across 27 games (18 starts) between Bowie and Norfolk. He has compiled a 5.18 ERA over 121.2 innings with 127 strikeouts and 44 walks. He has held opponents to a .268 average while compiling a 1.40 WHIP.
The Tides are off Monday before they head to Buffalo to take on the Bisons at Sahlen Field. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m. EST in what is the last series before the postseason.
Will the Tides rise and tame the Bisons, or will Buffalo freeze Norfolk before the postseason begins?
Who stood out to you for Norfolk this week? 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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