After a 0-3 start during first home stand of the season, the Tides have put one in the win column to go to 3-5 on the season with all three wins coming at the hands of the Charlotte Knights.

The Tides scored the only run needed for the victory in the first inning, after center fielder Xavier Avery led off the bottom of the first with his first triple of the year and Steve Tolleson recorded his 2^nd RBI of the season with a groundout to shortstop Ozzie Martinez to put the Tides up 1-0.  The score remained the same and was enough for the Tides to win game one of the four game series.

Chris Tillman was very effective throughout his 5.2 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season.  Tillman surrendered only three hits and struck out eight Knight batters.  Tillman was removed in the 6^th inning after loading the bases and Miguel Gonzalez was called upon to try and keep the lead intact.  Gonzalez promptly had Charlotte’s Josh Phegley to fly out to left field to end the threat.

Gonzalez went 21/3 innings, striking out 3 and turned over the final frame to  Kyler Newby.  Newby made in interesting again for the Tides as he walked Dan Honson and gave up a single to Jordan Danks before retiring Greg Golson to end the game.  Newby picked up the save and relieved the anxiety that was starting to emerge from the fans that remained in the stands, thinking another 9^th inning collapse was about to occur

After a disastrous 9^th inning yesterday in which the bullpen imploded and lost a 7 run lead, the Tides were pleasantly surprised with the performance of the two new additions to the bullpen, Miguel Gonzalez and Kyler Newby.  Both had remained in Sarasota, Florida for extended spring training and were added to the Tides roster earlier in the day.

Tides Notes:

Left-hander Dontrelle Willis, has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with a left forearm strain.

The Tides have 38 KO’s on the past 4 games

Jai Miller continues to rake.  Miller had 2 more hits tonight and raised his average to .320 with 5 extra base hits.

Infielder Zelous Wheeler was reassigned from Norfolk to Double-A Bowie

Charlotte’s Ozzie Martinez who Baseball America ranks as the number 10 prospect in the White Sox organization, still has not registered a hit this season with a .000 average and dismal .091 OPS.

Chris Tillman was consistent throughout keeping his fastball in the low 90s, yet still is having issues getting into the 7^th inning.  While it is early in the season, the true test for Tillman will be if he can make it further into the late innings and keep his pitch count down.