Williams Wills Stripers to 3-2 Win in 11th Inning at Norfolk

Luke Williams’ two-out RBI single is difference as Gwinnett snaps three-game losing streak

August 13th, 2026
Luke Williams broke a 2-2 tie with his two-out, two-strike single in the 11th inning on Thursday.
Luke Williams broke a 2-2 tie with his two-out, two-strike single in the 11th inning on Thursday.Henry Gomez

NORFOLK, Virginia – Luke Williams started his day 0-for-4 with four strikeouts but ended it a hero as his two-out, two-strike RBI single in the top of the 11th inning gave the Gwinnett Stripers (21-21, 59-57) a 3-2 win over the Norfolk Tides (13-27, 41-74) on Thursday afternoon at Harbor Park. Gwinnett snapped a three-game losing streak with the last-at-bat victory.

Decisive Plays:  After falling behind 1-0 on an RBI single by Bryan Ramos in the second, the Stripers went ahead 2-1 in the third on back-to-back RBI singles by Brett Wisely and Jose Azocar. Norfolk tied it at 2-2 in the fifth on a long solo home run by Heston Kjerstad (10). Still 2-2 in the bottom of the 10th, the Tides had a runner at third with one out, but Bailey Falter (W, 3-1) induced a comebacker to the mound and picked up a key strikeout to send the game into the 11th. With Wisely at third and two outs, Williams took an 0-2 pitch from Anthony Nunez (L, 0-2) down the left-field line for the go-ahead hit. Falter came back out for the bottom of the 11th and struck out two of three batters faced in a perfect frame to finish it.

Key Contributors: Williams (1-for-5, RBI), Wisely (2-for-4, RBI), and Azocar (2-for-5, RBI) drove in Gwinnett’s three runs. Falter struck out three over 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings in his second appearance since joining the Stripers. Kjerstad went 2-for-3 with the homer and one RBI for the Tides.

Noteworthy:  The Stripers are now 7-6 in extra-inning games this year. Atlanta Braves’ No. 7 prospect Owen Murphy turned in his team-leading sixth quality start in a no-decision (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO). Patrick Clohisy went 3-for-5 atop the order, raising his Triple-A average to .413. Azocar’s steal in the third inning was Gwinnett’s 218th this season, a new single-season record for an Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A club (besting the record of 217 set by the 2024 Stripers).

Next Game (Friday, August 14):  Gwinnett Stripers at Norfolk Tides, 6:35 p.m. ET at Harbor Park. Radio Broadcast: 6:20 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. Live Video Stream: Bally Sports Live.