Tides top Lehigh Valley 9-4

NORFOLK, VA (WAVY) - Jeff Salazar homered and drove in three, helping Norfolk cruise to a 9-4 win over Lehigh Valley in front of 8,326 fans at Harbor Park Tuesday night.

Salazar clubbed a solo shot in the first inning to give Norfolk the lead, then extended the Tides lead to 7-2 in the sixth inning with a two-out, two-run single. Salazar now has 12 home runs on the year and has hit safely in 14 of his last 17 games, over which he's batted .324 (24-for-74) with five home runs and 13 RBI.

Josh Bell, Ryhne Hughes and Robert Andino each added two hits for the Tides, while Adam Donachie, Michael Aubrey and Blake Davis each added a hit and a run batted in.

Tides starter Tim Bascom (1-2) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, as he worked five-plus innings to register his first victory at the Triple-A level. Bascom allowed two runs on six hits, walking one and striking out five. The 25-year-old threw 62 of his 88 pitches for strikes before departing after three straight hits to start the sixth inning.

Brian Mazone (4-7) suffered the loss for the IronPigs, as he allowed five runs - three earned - on seven hits in five innings.

Norfolk plated three unearned runs in the contest courtesy of four IronPigs errors. Lehigh Valley pitchers also issued five walks and uncorked three wild pitches.

The Tides and IronPigs will continue their four-game series on Wednesday night, with Chris George (2-2, 4.28) scheduled to take the hill for Norfolk against right-hander Drew Carpenter (6-5, 3.63). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15.