DURHAM - GAME RECAP

The visiting Norfolk Tides, AAA affiliate of the Mets, needed just one win over the Durham Bulls in this weekend series to clinch the IL's Southern Division title. It would be a tough challenge today as Juan Guzman got the start for the Bulls. Interestingly, the starting catcher was Pat Borders, which brought back memories of the '92 World Champion Blue Jays.

Guzman and Borders

Guzman started slowly, giving up 3 singles to start the game. With the bases loaded, Tony Tarasco drew a walk, and a wild pitch allowed another run to score and the Tides were up early. Tides' starter Pablo Ochoa pitched 3 perfect innings before being replaced by Ivan Montane who yielded 3 singles and a sac fly in the 4th as Durham crept within 1.

Both teams scored a run in the 6th and Guzman was replaced in the 7th. The Bulls' pen was solid through the ninth, keeping their team in the game. In the bottom of the ninth, Norfolk closer Mark Corey gave up a lead-off single and then walked Borders. After Andy Sheets sacrificed the runners, Paul Hoover grounded to short. The throw was to home and in time - the Bulls were down to their last out, but Mike Caruso walked to load the bases. Greg Martinez then fouled off 3 pitches with the count full before drawing the walk - the game was tied at 3! Jason Conti couldn't get the winning run, though, and we went to extras.

Timo Perez  swings

In the top of the 10th, Jorge Toca singled with one out and after Tarasco struck out, Hunter drove a triple to the wall to give the Tides another lead. DH Ty Winnington then crushed a 1-1 pitch to deep center field and it cleared the fence for the first dinger of the game, and a 6-3 Tides' lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Bobby Smith led off with a homer. Two singles later and Juan Cerros was brought in to quell the threat. A sacrifice put runners on second and third with only 1 out. Sheets then singled scoring 1 run, but the runner at second was stopped at third. After Hoover walked to load the bases, Caruso grounded to second. Again the throw to home was in time, and again Martinez was at the plate with the bases loaded, 2 out, and his team down by 1. After taking a strike, he hit a nubber just in front of the plate. Tides' catcher Mike Figga scrambled for it, threw to first, and....OUT at first - Norfolk wins 6-5 and clinches the Southern Division championship. A great game with old players finishing out their careers in Durham, up and coming stars, extra innings, and a championship - this game gets the first 10/10 rating - a perfect ballgame!

Celebration time