Woodpeckers Pull Off Eighth-Inning Comeback, Win Third Straight Against Mudcats

Fayetteville, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (41-52, 10-18) pulled ahead of the Carolina Mudcats (47-48, 13-16) on a two-run single from Jose Alvarez in the eighth inning on Saturday night, winning their third straight game by a 3-2 final at Segra Stadium.

Bryant Salgado and Carlos Rodriguez both worked scoreless starts before the game was paused due to lightning in the top of the fifth inning.

The Woodpeckers were without a hit over the first four innings, and the game remained scoreless until the sixth when Eduarqui Fernandez hit a solo home run off Carlos Calderon (W, 3-5), giving Carolina a 1-0 lead. Carolina added another run in the seventh on an Alberis Ferrer RBI single, extending to a 2-0 advantage.

The shutout bid ended in the bottom of the seventh when Jose Alvarez walked, stole a pair of bases, and scored on a wild pitch that cut the game to 2-1.

Fayetteville continued to press against Michele Vassalotti (L, 8-2) in the eighth inning once Joey Loperfido reached on a one-out single. Following a Justin Williams flyout, Victor Mascai and Tyler Whitaker loaded the bases with walks and set up Alvarez for his big swing. The Woodpeckers catcher rolled a sharp grounder underneath Jesus Chirinos at first and into right-field, scoring Loperfido and Mascai for the 3-2 lead.

Calderon continued to pitch into the ninth and issued a one-out walk to Eduardo Garcia. With the tying run on, Hedbert Perez ripped a liner to second base that was caught by Leosdany Molina and led to Garcia getting doubled off at first base to end the game.

The Woodpeckers now lead the series 3-2 and will try to win the six-game set on Sunday afternoon at Segra Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm with RHP Shea Barry scheduled to start against RHP Alexander Cornielle.

FULL BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/669723/final/box