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The son of Rich Wieters who pitched in the Braves and White Sox systems between 1977-82, Matt has already made a name in his own right in his short career.

The first-round pick, fifth overall, of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2007 draft Matt Wieters is make his first stop in Western New York this weekend as a member of the Norfolk Tides.

Ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Baltimore chain and No.12 in the publications top 100 prospects list, Wieters was also the 2008 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year.

Talk about expectations, from websites like MLB.com to daily papers like the Baltimore Sun it seems every media outlet has some type of fan poll on when Wieters will get his first MLB call-up.

“It’s a lot easier during the season,” Wieters said of shutting out expectations.

“In the off season you have your expectations and you have your own goals that you work for. When the season comes around you’re playing baseball everyday, once you get out there on the field all the expectations (are gone) you’re just trying to win a ball game.”

Signing a six million dollar contract with Baltimore there was strong talk during spring training that Matt would be on the O’s roster for Opening day.

But again, Matt didn’t let talk from outside sources color his timetable on getting to the majors.

Learning more about the game from his father than he can ever tell, seeing his father never get passed Double-A ball showed Matt that no matter how good you are or think you are, there is no lock and you have to be ready for the emotional ups and downs of the sport.

“He was huge. He did a great job of raising me to where (I knew) this game is tough on you. It’s not going to let you be cocky,” said Wieters. “The game sets you up to fail. That’s different than most other sports. My dad did a great job and the game does a great job of humbling you.”

Oscar Salazar’s has a two-run homer and Matt Wieters (2-for-4) had a two RBI double as the Tides scored four runs in the eighth to pace their 5-1 win over Buffalo in front of an announced crowd of 5,182 which looked more like 1,000.

Norfolk (17-11) starter Jason Berken worked five inning to improve his record to 2-0 and extend his Triple-A scoreless streak to 15 innings.

Kyle Snyder (0-3) worked four innings and was tagged with the loss for the Herd who now fall to 6-21.

Notes:

Jonathon Niese is expected to get one more start with the Mets this week before he is returned to Buffalo and Tim Redding, who throws at Coca-Cola Field on Monday in what should be his final rehab start before he is added to the Mets roster.

Niese was a May 7 call-up after Oliver Perez (knee) was placed on the DL. Niese got the start against Pittsburgh on May 8. He worked six innings in the Mets 7-3 win. Niese fanned five, walked none and gave up two earned runs.

Niese is scheduled to get the start against Atlanta on May 13. He threw eight scoreless innings against the Braves on September 13, 2008.

The series continues on Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. first-pitch.

Buffalo will send RHP Nelson Figueroa (0-2, 2.57 ERA) will oppose Norfolk lefty Rich Hill (0-1, 2.45 ERA).