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Connor Norby and Bruce Zimmermann thrived Friday night as the Norfolk Tides downed Memphis 7-2 before 3,011 at AutoZone Park in Tennessee.
The Tides (34-14) continue to lead the International League and are 3-1 in the six-game series, which continues with a 6:35 p.m. contest Saturday.
Norby, the leadoff man, had four of Norfolk’s 14 hits. He belted a two-run homer in the sixth, scored twice and drove in three runs, and the men immediately behind him in the lineup, Jordan Westburg and Josh Lester, each batted 2 for 5. Both of Westburg’s hits were doubles.
Tides outfielder Ben DeLuzio, signed as a free agent this week, was 2 for 4 with a stolen base, a run and an RBI. Daz Cameron had a hit, stole two bases and scored.
Zimmermann (2-3), a 28-year-old left-hander trying to work his way back up to his native Baltimore, got the victory by pitching six shutout innings, striking out eight, walking three and limiting the Redbirds to four hits.
Masyn Winn and Taylor Motter each had two of Memphis’ seven hits, but a Motter double was the only extra-base hit.
Dakota Hudson (1-3), who is 32-17 all-time with the parent St. Louis Cardinals since being promoted to the majors in 2018 but hasn’t been recalled this year, took the defeat.
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS
(through Friday’s games)
Team, W-L, Pct., GB
East Division
Norfolk (Orioles), 34-14, .708, -
Durham (Rays), 26-22, .542, 8.0
Charlotte (White Sox), 25-24, .510, 9.5
Lehigh Valley (Phillies), 24-24, .500, 10.0
Scranton/W-B (Yankees), 24-25, .479, 10.5
Worcester (Red Sox), 24-25, .490, 10.5
Buffalo (Blue Jays), 23-26, .469, 11.5
Jacksonville (Marlins), 21-26, .447, 12.5
Rochester (Nationals), 20-27, .426, 13.5
Syracuse (Mets), 19-30, .388, 15.5
West Division
Iowa (Cubs), 27-19, .587, -
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St. Paul (Twins), 25-22, .532, 2.5
Memphis (Cardinals), 26-23, .531, 2.5
Louisville (Reds), 25-23, .521, 3.0
Nashville (Brewers), 25-23, .521, 3.0
Columbus (Guardians), 24-24, .500, 4.0
Indianapolis (Pirates), 23-25, .479, 5.0
Toledo (Tigers), 23-25, .479, 5.0