THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 17, 1996 TAG: 9607170514
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CLYDE HUGHES, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: MAUMEE, OHIO LENGTH: 44 lines
The Toledo Mud Hens scored eight runs in their last three at-bats for a come-from-behind 10-6 win over the Norfolk Tides Tuesday night at Ned Skeldon Stadium.
The usually reliable Norfolk bullpen gave up five of those runs, including the winning run, aided by a defensive lapse.
It was the most runs the Tides have given up against Toledo in a game this season. Norfolk has now lost five of its last six games.
``The bullpen has been the strength of this staff all season,'' said Norfolk manager Bobby Valentine. ``I can expect them to have a bad night. We got the ball up a couple of times and the ball was really carrying here. If we expected everyone to be at their best all the time, we wouldn't have to play the season.''
Norfolk starter Mike Fyhrie gave up a two-run homer in the first inning, but quickly settled down, mowing down 14 of the next 15 Mud Hens until Kevin Baez and Glen Barker hit consecutive singles off him in the fifth inning.
But Bubba Trammell ended Fyhrie's stay with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, cutting a four-run Tides lead to 6-5.
``That put us back in the game,'' Toledo manager Tom Runnells said. ``Bubba came through for us and gave us a big knock and gave us a chance to battle back.''
Toledo then worked on Norfolk's bullpen. Bryan Rogers (0-1) walked Baez to leadoff the seventh inning and Glen Barker reached on Luis Rivera's throwing error on Barker's sacrifice bunt, sending Baez to third.
Tim Hyers, who hit a two-run homer earlier, sacrificed off Bob MacDonald to right to score Baez and tie the game. Tony Mitchell's fielder's choice grounder later in the inning score Barker from third for the lead.
The loss ruined a big offensive night for Roberto Petagine, who went 2 for 4 with five RBIs.
TIDES MOVES: The Tides on Tuesday placed starting pitcher Mike Gardiner on the disabled list with a recurring ankle problem, retroactive to July 11. Gardiner will miss today's scheduled start and will likely be replaced by Pedro Martinez, who was optioned from the New York Mets to the Tides on Monday. ... Relief pitchers Mark Lee and Brian Bark were both released. ... Outfielder Jay Payton, who has been in St. Lucie, Fla., rehabilitating his surgically repaired elbow, was activated Tuesday and will be used in a designated hitter capacity until OK'd to begin playing the outfield again. by CNB