Billy Cook slugged two homers and drove in five runs Sunday as the Norfolk Tides romped past Nashville 9-1 in Game 2 of a doubleheader, gaining a split of the day and a series victory before 4,207 at Harbor Park.
The Tides (46-49, 10-10 in the International League’s second half), who lost 3-2 in Sunday’s opener after Saturday’s rainout, have scored at least nine runs in four of their last six games. They’re off Monday before welcoming the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp for a six-game series, starting at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday.
Norfolk first baseman Coby Mayo committed a throwing error after fielding a grounder with the bases loaded and one out in the second inning, allowing all three Nashville runs to score and eventually handing a loss to Carlos Tavera (2-3).
Former Tides left-hander DL Hall, part of the haul the Milwaukee Brewers acquired in the offseason deal that sent recent American League All-Star Game starting pitcher Corbin Burnes to Baltimore, started Game 1 for the Sounds (50-46, 12-9) and gave up both Norfolk runs, three hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.
Hudson Haskin’s single brought in Cook in the second, and Garrett Cooper’s sacrifice fly brought home Jackson Holliday in the third.
Four Nashville relievers shut out the Tides for the last 4 1/3 innings. That included a sixth-inning appearance by the rehabbing Devin Williams, who has been one of MLB’s best bullpen options in recent years. Kevin Herget (5-0), who relieved Hall in the third, gained the victory.
Game 2 was far different. Bruce Zimmermann, winner Justin Armbruester (2-6), Kade Strowd, Corbin Martin and Nolan Hoffman combined to strike out nine and pitch a five-hitter.
Cook blasted a pitch over the fence for a 2-0 lead in the first inning off Aaron Ashby (2-6), and after Nashville manager Rick Sweet was ejected, the Tides virtually put the game away with a six-run fourth. Anthony Servideo’s grounder, Holliday’s double and Mayo’s sacrifice fly brought in runs before Cook smacked a three-run homer to left for an 8-0 edge.
