The Triple-A Norfolk Tides look to snap a five-game losing streak when they host the Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park, and the Double-A Bowie Baysox play a doubleheader against the Reading Phillies as they fight for a spot in the Eastern League playoffs.

The Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds take on the Lake County Captains at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, and the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds play on the road against the Tri-City ValleyCats.

The Rookie-level Bluefield Orioles face the Burlington Royals at Bowen Field.

The Single-A Frederick Keys are idle.

Shorebirds relief pitcher Cliff Flagello was placed on the temporary inactive list in order to return home for the birth of his first child, according to the team. The 24-year-old right-hander, who is 2-4 with a 4.67 ERA in 41 games with Delmarva and Frederick this season, is not expected to return in 2009.

In order to replace Flagello on the roster, the Shorebirds promoted left-hander Jacob Smith from Aberdeen. The 23-year-old relief pitcher is 3-3 with a 2.15 ERA in 19 appearances for the IronBirds, and he earned the victory in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game earlier this month after tossing a scoreless inning.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Record: (67-67)

Opponent

Charlotte Knights (7:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: David Pauley (9-11, 4.41 ERA)
Charlotte: Daniel Hudson (2-0, 3.43 ERA)