THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, May 24, 1996                  TAG: 9605240734
SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   46 lines

THURMAN'S HOT BAT GETS HOTTER FOR TIDES HIS 2 HOME RUNS IN 6-3 WIN THURSDAY GAVE HIM 3 IN 3 GAMES.

In 13 years in professional baseball, Gary Thurman has never hit more than eight home runs in a season.

But you'd never know it by the way he's been swinging the bat lately.

Thurman hit two home runs Thursday night - giving him three in his last three games - to lead the Norfolk Tides to a 6-3 win over Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre at Harbor Park.

``I've never been a power hitter,'' Thurman said. ``I'm still not. I'm just seeing the ball well lately, and I've had a good run of luck.''

It's come at an opportune time for Norfolk. After dropping the series opener, the Tides (24-20) came back to win three in a row over the Red Barons.

The Tides can thank the 30-year-old Thurman for all three of them. His solo home run ignited a Norfolk comeback Tuesday night. His 12th-inning single brought home the winning run Wednesday.

And a three-run shot in the eighth provided the margin of victory for the Tides on Thursday.

The homer appeared to be pure gravy at the time. It gave the Tides a 6-1 lead.

But the Red Barons scored two in the top of the ninth, and it turned out Norfolk needed every inch of Thurman's shot to leftfield.

Thurman opened the game with a similar shot to left. And Norfolk carried a 2-0 lead into the fifth.

Scranton got on board in the sixth on a solo home run by Ricky Otero.

But with Joe Person scattering six hits through 7 2/3 innings, the Tides looked to be in command, before things got a little ugly in the top of the ninth, when the tying run came to the plate.

NOTES: The Tides begin a four-game series with Richmond at The Diamond tonight at 7. They return to Harbor Park Saturday and Sunday, and head back to Richmond Monday. Saturday night's game at Harbor Park will be followed by a fireworks display. The game will also feature an appearance by the ``Sport Magic'' performers. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/The Virginian-Pilot

Shawn Gilbert contributes to the Tides' two-run first inning,

sliding home safely as Scranton catcher Gary Bennett bobbles the

ball. by CNB