For all the excitement the Baltimore Orioles are creating, there seems to be just as much excitement for the reigning International League and Triple-A Champion Norfolk Tides.
The Tides opened their season against the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, and offense was the name of the series for both clubs.
The Tides scored 32 runs across the three games, with the Bulls scoring 31. In the end, Norfolk would win two of three to open the season.
Let’s take a look at the great, the good and the ugly of what happened during the series for Norfolk.
The Great: Heston Kjerstad
Kjerstad took his assignment to Norfolk a little to heart, opening the season series by slashing .500/.500/.583 with six hits, four RBIs and four runs scored across the first three games.
In Norfolk’s 12-6 victory on Saturday, Kjerstad would go 3-for-3 with two RBIs, collecting a sacrifice fly and getting hit by a pitch during the game to bump his on-base percentage.
The Good: Kyle Stowers
Stowers’ hot spring has carried over to the regular season. Picking up at least one hit in each game to start, Stowers is slashing .385/.429/.692 with a home run and a team-leading six RBIs to begin 2024.
Joining in the victory on Saturday, Stowers would go 3-for-5, collecting that home run and five of his RBIs. The 26-year-old continues to show he is ready the next time he gets the call to the show.
The Ugly: John Means
In all fairness, this was Means’ first game action since September of last year, before being shut down until the beginning of the year. His outing should be taken with a grain of salt.
Means would start Sunday’s game, making his first rehab start and appearance this spring in any game. He lasted just one inning in the game, allowing six hits, including two home runs, a walk and seven earned runs while striking out two.
The good news is that Means threw 32 pitches, with 21 going for strikes.
The Tides have begun their defense of their Triple-A title with a statement, as they now head to take on the Charlotte Knights Tuesday evening. Will the offense continue their torrid start, or will it encounter a shield from the Knights?
Who stood out to you in Norfolk this weekend? 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!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on X – @SRJHeckman, and listen to the official podcast of The Baltimore Battery, The Final Strike, anywhere you get your podcasts!
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment