Norfolk Tides get ready to welcome 10 millionth fan and other minors notes

The Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, are about to welcome their 10 millionth fan to Harbor Park. It could happen as soon as their next home game on Monday. Harbor Park opened on April 14, 1993, and has seen 9,993,385 fans walk through the turnstiles over its 22-year existence. That number is just 6,615 fans shy of reaching the 10 million mark. The Tides will recognize the 10 millionth fan with several prizes that evening, including a pair of season tickets. The 10 millionth fan will also receive a Tides jersey and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, in addition to winning $100 gift certificates to four area restaurants. The lucky fan will be able to enjoy that night's game with a catered meal in one of Harbor Park's luxury suites. "This is an exciting milestone for one of the area's most prominent facilities," said Tides general manager Joe Gregory. "Fans have enjoyed coming out to Harbor Park for over 20 years, so we can't wait to recognize the 10 millionth fan as a symbol of how much we appreciate the support we've received from the entire community since the ballpark opened." The Tides return to Harbor Park on Monday for a two-game series against division rival Durham. First pitch for both games is set for 7:05 p.m., and individual tickets are currently available online or at the Harbor Park box office. Fans can visit norfolktides.com or call 757-622-2222. On the field, Norfolk beat 14-7 Scranton last night on the road thanks to a 22-hit attack. The Tides had eight different players drive in runs, as Francisco Peguero and Chris Marrero each had three-RBI nights. Norfolk is 4-0 in June. Tides first baseman Brett Wallace finished the month of May ranked among International League leaders in runs scored (first, 26), OPS (second, .995), average (third, .358), home runs (tied for third, six) and RBIs (tied for sixth, 19). Wallace finished with 12 multi-hit games in May, a month in which he upped his season average from .176 to .278. Single-A Delmarva outfielder Mike Yastrzemski tripled again last night. It was his ninth of the year, which leads the South Atlantic League. Over his last five games, Yastrzemski is 10-for-26 (.385) with a double, three triples, two homers and 10 RBIs. Double-A Bowie will try to break a seven-game losing streak tonight at New Hampshire. This is the longest Baysox losing skid since they dropped eight in a row from April 24-May 2, 2010. Bowie has fallen back to .500 at 29-29. The Baysox have hit just .185 with 17 runs scored during the losing streak. O's minor league home run leaders: 15 - Christian Walker, Bowie 10 - Dariel Alvarez, Bowie 8 - Mike Yastrzemski, Delmarva 7 - Buck Britton, Norfolk and Xavier Paul, Norfolk O's minor league strikeout leaders: 67 - Hunter Harvey, Delmarva 65 - Eddie Gamboa, Norfolk 63 - Tyler Wilson, Bowie 60 - Parker Bridwell, Frederick 55 - Mitch Horacek, Delmarva