Tides belt three home runs in first inning, go on to clinch series victory at Memphis

The Norfolk Tides clinched yet another series victory Saturday night, cranking out 15 more hits as they defeated Memphis 11-6 at AutoZone Park in Tennessee.

The International League-leading Tides (35-14) have won four of five games in the series, whose final game is Sunday night.

Norfolk got three hits apiece from Jordan Westburg, Josh Lester and Joseph Rosa. Westburg, Lester and Lewin Diaz belted solo home runs during the Tides’ three-run first inning.

Memphis went ahead 4-3 in the third, but the Tides kept adding runs and all but put the game away with a five-run eighth for an 11-4 margin.

Shayne Fontana knocked in three runs, Anthony Bemboom and Lester scored three apiece, and Westburg, Daz Cameron and Diaz each drove in two runs.

The Redbirds had 10 hits. Masyn Winn had three hits and Taylor Motter knocked in two runs.

Tides starter Ryan Watson gave up four earned runs, four hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings, but reliever Eduard Bazardo gained a well-earned victory. He gave up just one hit and no walks in 3 1/3 innings, striking out three.

Logan Gillaspie pitched three innings for a save, though he gave up home runs to Motter and Nick Raposo.

The Tides scored off all four Memphis pitchers. Starter Tommy Parsons gave up four earned runs and six hits in five innings. JoJo Romero (0-1) yielded two earned runs, three hits, a pitch-clock violation and two wild pitches in 1 2/3 innings to take the loss.