Despite three hits apiece from Dylan Beavers and Jeremiah Jackson, the Norfolk Tides couldn’t find enough fireworks Thursday night at Harbor Park until after the game.
The Durham Bulls gained a 4-1 victory before 7,525 to sweep both games in the Norfolk portion of their two-city series this week. Weather permitting, it will continue with 6:35 p.m. games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Durham (51-32, 6-2 in the International League’s second half) went ahead 4-0 in the first three innings off Tides starter Chayce McDermott (1-5), who lasted five innings.
Carson Williams belted a solo homer in the second inning, Tristan Peters hit an RBI triple in the third, and Dominic Keegan clubbed a two-run homer in the third. Norfolk’s run came on a sacrifice fly by Vimael Machín in the sixth inning.
Pitcher Keagan Gillies, a 27-year-old heading to the All-Star Futures Game July 12 in Atlanta, made his Triple-A debut for the Tides (33-47, 3-5) as they closed an eight-game homestand. Despite two walks, he shut out Durham in a hitless sixth after being promoted from the Double-A Chesapeake Baysox of Bowie, Maryland.
Durham starter Ian Seymour (9-3) got the victory by pitching 5 2/3 innings, though the Tides outhit the Bulls 9-8.
For Friday’s game in Durham, right-hander Thaddeus Ward (6-5, 6.50 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Tides against righty Logan Workman (4-3, 4.39).
