The Fayetteville Woodpeckers salvaged the series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, avoiding a sweep in an 8-4 victory at Segra Stadium. The Woodpeckers took a 3-0 lead early thanks to back-to-back sacrifice flies in the first, followed by a home run from Jonathan Arauz in the next frame. However Myrtle
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers salvaged the series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, avoiding a sweep in an 8-4 victory at Segra Stadium. The Woodpeckers took a 3-0 lead early thanks to back-to-back sacrifice flies in the first, followed by a home run from Jonathan Arauz in the next frame. However Myrtle Beach would not go away easily, eventually taking a 4-3 lead off a DJ Wilson two-run shot in the top of the seventh. In need of a rally Jake Adams answered the call blasting his third grand slam of the year and Fayetteville's ninth. The victory snaps a franchise record five game losing streak for the Woodpeckers as well.
Fayetteville tacked on two runs to start the game against Pelicans' starter Javier Assad to take a 2-0 lead. Jeremy Pena kicked off the night with a leadoff single, followed by another base-hit from Jacob Meyers that put runners at the corners for the Woodpeckers. Corey Julks flew out to left field, allowing for Jeremy Pena to tally the first Fayetteville run of the night. Meyers moved to third on the sacrifice fly, meaning Jake Adams could add a sacrifice fly of his own to drive in another score. Adams did just that, earning is 48th RBI of the year and securing the Woodpeckers went up by a pair of runs after one frame of play.
Fayetteville starter JP France was stellar in his first two innings on the mound, not allowing a score and giving up just one hit. The Woodpeckers offense gave their hurler some more cushion in the bottom of the second taking a 3-0 lead, thanks to a solo shot off the bat of Jonathan Arauz. The bomb was the second in as many days for Arauz and his sixth of the year with the Woodpeckers. In the top of the third Myrtle Beach finally got on the board against JP France with a leadoff solo home run of their own thanks to Grant Fennell. After the shot from Fennell, France settled in and retired the next two batters he faced to end the inning and limit the damage. The Fayetteville starter did not allow another hit, pitching through the fifth inning, and striking out four. In the bottom of the third and fourth the Woodpeckers put a runner in scoring position but could make anything of it as the 3-1 score remained until the top of the sixth inning.
The Woodpeckers made a pitching change in the sixth, sending out Jojanse Torres (1-0) who got the first out right away against Jimmy Herron. Then things got a little bumpier for the Woodpeckers reliever, starting out with a single from Cam Balego. Torres then walked Carlos Sepulveda and gave up a base hit to Miguel Amaya that loaded the bases for the Pelicans. Luke Reynolds stepped up to the plate with the tying run now in scoring position for Myrtle Beach. Torres threw a pitch outside that clipped Reynolds on the arm and a scuffle ensued but no ejections were made as tensions cooled off quickly. The hit by the pitch also allowed Balego to score making it a one-run game, with one out and the bases still loaded. Torres sent down the next two batters he faced to get out of the jam, but the Pelicans picked up where they left off in the next inning to take control of the game. In the leadoff spot Grant Fennell walked to put the tying run on the base paths and then DJ Wilson smoked a two-run shot over the right field wall to give Myrtle Beach the lead. The bomb was Wilson's third of the series and suddenly the Woodpeckers were in need of a rally.
Down 4-3 and with a new pitcher on the mound in Brian Glowicki (0-1), the Woodpeckers looked to launch a comeback. Ruben Castro roped a single and Jeremy Pena drew a walk to put two runners on for Fayetteville. With one away, the Woodpeckers loaded the bases thanks to another base on balls to Corey Julks. It was the perfect opportunity for Jake Adams to do what he does best, crush a grand slam. The Fayetteville slugger launched a bomb to left field, putting the Woodpeckers back on top 7-4. It was the third grand slam of the year for Adams and the second go-ahead grand slam for the Iowa product. The Woodpeckers tacked on another run in the bottom of the eighth after Miguelangel Sierra smoked a triple off the right wall and Scott Manea brought him home with yet another sacrifice fly. Jacob Billingsley pitched two scoreless innings to end the game, striking out three and cementing a 8-4 victory for the Woodpeckers.
Fayetteville avoids the sweep and is now 11-4 against Myrtle Beach this season. The Woodpeckers are now in a three-way tie for first place in the South Division. Fayetteville faces a new team in the Salem Red Sox tomorrow at Segra Stadium. Game one of a three game tilt is scheduled for 7:00pm.
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are the Advanced Single-A affiliate of the 2017 World Champion Houston Astros and play in their Inaugural Season at beautiful Segra Stadium in downtown Fayetteville. Segra Stadium, a $40 million state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue, features space for over 5,200 fans, natural grass, a 25x70 LED video scoreboard, six luxury suites, four field boxes, the premium AEVEX Veterans Club level, Healy's Bar and outdoor party deck, a kid's zone, and more. With a rich history of baseball in the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, the Woodpeckers are thrilled to write a new chapter with their inaugural campaign on Hay Street. Fans are encouraged to visit FayettevilleWoodpeckers.com to purchase tickets, learn more about the team, and find out about upcoming events and promotions at the ballpark. Fans may also reach the Woodpeckers by visiting the BB&T Box Office in front of Segra Stadium, calling (910) 339-1989, or emailing [email protected].
