The Norfolk Tides closed their trip to Memphis with an 8-2 loss Sunday night to the Redbirds before 3,552 at AutoZone Park.
The Tides (35-15) nevertheless won four of six games in the series in Tennessee, and they’ll head home to face the Gwinnett Stripers in a seven-game, six-day series starting at 6:35 Tuesday night at Harbor Park. It will include a 5:35 p.m. doubleheader Wednesday.
Memphis’ Matt Koperniak batted 3 for 5 with three RBIs, and Kramer Robertson was 2 for 3 with three runs.
Norfolk had nine hits apiece, including two each by Connor Norby and Joseph Rosa. It was Norby’s 19th multi-hit game of the year.
But the Tides stranded eight runners and hit into two double plays. Lewin Diaz and Mark Kolozsvary each scored and had a hit.
Tides starter Chris Vallimont (2-1) gave up six earned runs and seven hits in five innings for the loss.
The Redbirds went ahead 3-1 in the third on Ivan Herrera’s RBI double, Luken Baker’s sacrifice fly and Jordan Walker’s RBI single.
Memphis starter Z.D. Thompson gave up both Norfolk runs and five hits in four innings. Leahy (3-2), the first of four Redbirds to pitch shutout relief, worked the fifth for the victory.
IL STANDINGS
(through Monday’s games)
EAST DIVISION W-L Pct. GB
Norfolk (Orioles) 35-15 .700 —
Durham (Rays) 28-23 .549 7.5
Lehigh Valley (Phillies) 25-25 .500 10.0
Charlotte (White Sox) 25-26 .490 10.5
Scranton/W-B (Yankees) 25-26 .490 10.5
Worcester (Red Sox) 25-26 .490 10.5
Buffalo (Blue Jays) 24-27 .471 11.5
Jacksonville (Marlins) 23-27 .460 12.0
Rochester (Nationals) 23-27 .460 12.0
Syracuse (Mets) 20-32 .385 16.0
WEST DIVISION W-L Pct. GB
Iowa (Cubs) 29-19 .604 —
St. Paul (Twins) 27-22 .551 2.5
Memphis (Cardinals) 27-24 .529 3.5
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Columbus (Guardians) 26-24 .520 4.0
Louisville (Reds) 26-24 .520 4.0
Nashville (Brewers) 25-25 .500 5.0
Indianapolis (Pirates) 24-27 .471 6.5
Toledo (Tigers) 23-28 .451 7.5
Gwinnett (Braves) 22-28 .440 8.0
Omaha (Royals) 21-28 .429 8.5