The Tides allowed four runs in the seventh inning as the Stripers came from behind to steal the opener in Gwinnett. Norfolk got out to an early lead thanks to contributions from a new face. Terrin Vavra led off the inning with a single to center and moved to second on a groundout from Jean Segura. With two outs, recent acquisition J.D. Davis doubled to center, bringing Vavra home and establishing a 1-0 lead.
Gwinnett tied the game in the third after loading the bases on a flurry of singles before scoring on a sac fly. The game would remain tied until an offensive outburst from the Tides in the fifth.