THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995              TAG: 9508310563
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JOE ROSSI, CORRESPONDENT 
DATELINE: PAWTUCKET, R.I                     LENGTH: Short :   48 lines

TIDES' 8-RUN INNING LEADS TO ROUT OF PAWTUCKET

With less than one week before the start of the International League playoffs, the Norfolk Tides have shifted their game from cruise control to automatic.

The Tides exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning en route to a 13-4 win over Pawtucket Wednesday at McCoy Stadium.

``We're playing well and that's what you like to see before the playoffs,'' said Tides manager Toby Harrah.

Norfolk starter Chris Roberts went six innings to earn his first win since July 30. The southpaw (7-13) entered the game allowing the most home runs in the International League, and Pawtucket touched him for two more Wednesday. Pawtucket outfielder Glenn Murray blasted a two-run home run in the third inning, and Tuffy Rhodes' solo shot in the fourth gave the Pawtucket a short-lived 4-1 lead.

In the decisive fifth inning, 14 Tides batted and the first eight all scored. Two walks opened the inning, then the red-hot Jay Payton (5 for 11 with 5 RBIs in the series) tripled home two runs. Outfielder Alex Ochoa followed with a single to tie the game at four. Designated hitter Derek Lee launched his third home run of the series, a two run shot, that gave the Tides a 6-4 lead.

After an Aaron Ledesma double and Kevin Morgan's single, Pawtucket starter Brian Barnes was lifted in favor of Scott Bakkum. Norfolk catcher John Orton greeted Bakkum with a three-run home run that capped the eight-run rally.

``We just got it going that inning,'' said Orton (three hits, three RBIs). ``We put together some hits. You don't get those innings very often.''

The Tides would add a single run in the sixth inning. In the eighth inning, the Tides notched three more runs, highlighted by Ricky Otero's two-run single.

The Tides, owners of the International League's best record (84-55), look to sweep the four-game series tonight. Norfolk will start righthander Paul Wilson (5-3). Dale Plummer will pitch for Pawtucket. ILLUSTRATION: BOXSCORE

STANDINGS

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by CNB