NORFOLK, Va.- Mike Yastzemski's walk-off home run in the last of the seventh gave Norfolk a 4-3 win in game one of a doubleheader Sunday at Harbor Park. Pedro Álvarez homered in both games, but Columbus rallied late in game two to knock off the Tides 8-7 in the nightcap. The Tides trailed the opener 3-1 headed to the last of the sixth, but Álvarez knotted the score with a long two-run homer high off the right field scoreboard.
That set the stage for Yastrzemski, who lined a home run to right field on the first pitch of the seventh inning to give the Tides their ninth walk-off win of the season. The homer came off of left-hander Shawn Morimando (10-7), who attended Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach.
Yastrzemski's homer capped an amazing week for the 26-year-old outfielder, who was twice featured on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays for outstanding defensive plays on Thursday (#1) and Friday (#3). Norfolk starter Alec Asher turned in a Quality Start, allowing three runs on nine hits over six innings of work. He walked two and struck out five before giving way to Jason Wheeler (5-2), who earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief.
In game two, Álvarez continued his torrid stretch with a two-run homer in the first frame that gave the Tides an early 3-0 advantage. His two homers Sunday gave him 24 on the season, surpassing Michael Aubrey's 22 home runs in 2010 for the most by a Tides player since Norfolk became an Orioles affiliate in 2007.
The game was tied at 5-5 entering the seventh, when Columbus took advantage on an RBI single by Daniel Robertson and a run-scoring triple by Ronny Rodriguez. Norfolk knotted the game at 7-7 in the bottom half when Chance Sisco lined a game-tying two-run single to send the game to extras.
Columbus broke through against Logan Verrett (2-4) in the ninth, plating the game-winning run on an RBI double by Rodriguez. Rodriguez finished a homer short of hitting for the cycle to lead the Clipper's 14-hit attack. Travis Banwart (2-4) earned the win with two shutout innings of relief. Álvarez and Drew Dosch both had three hits in the nightcap, as the Tides registered 15 hits. David Washington and Chris Dickerson each added two hits apiece, as Norfolk wrapped up its homestand with a 4-3 record.
Norfolk starter Jayson Aquino took a no-decision after allowing four runs on eight hits over five innings. He walked a career-high five batters while striking out three.