Errors and Walks Fuel Wood Ducks Win Against Kannapolis

Keyber Rodriguez blasts his fourth home run of the season

By Matt Davis

August 17, 2021

Kannapolis, N.C. – For the second time this season, the Down East Wood Ducks plated multiple runs without recording a hit in a 5-1 win against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Tuesday night. The Woodies plated their first three runs thanks to two defensive errors and four walks. Down East (52-38)

Kannapolis, N.C. – For the second time this season, the Down East Wood Ducks plated multiple runs without recording a hit in a 5-1 win against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Tuesday night. The Woodies plated their first three runs thanks to two defensive errors and four walks.

Down East (52-38) struck early in the top of the first, chasing Kannapolis starter Jared Kelley (L, 0-4). Jayce Easley *and *Daniel Mateo *reached base on back-to-back fielding errors by Kannapolis second baseman, Samil Polanco. *Luisangel Acuña walked to load the bases. Keyber Rodriguez grounded into a fielder’s choice that forced Acuña but Easley scored and Mateo advanced to third. With runners at the corners, Rodriguez stole second (9) and Mateo stole home (7) for the 2-0 lead. Cristian Inoa walked and after a pitching change, *Angel Aponte *to load the bases. With the bases loaded, *Xavier Valentin *walked and Rodriguez scored for the 3-0 lead.

The Wood Ducks added to their lead in the top of the third. Rodriguez led off the inning with a solo home run (4) to increase the lead to 4-0.

In the fourth inning, the Woodies continued to swing against the Cannon Ballers. Inoa started the inning with a single and Aponte walked. Valentin singled to load the bases and Randy Florentino followed with another single to score Inoa to put Down East ahead, 5-0.

Kannapolis (26-65) was able to plate a run in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to 5-1.

*Gavin Collyer *took no-decision, pitching 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, three walks and tallying seven strikeouts. *Nick Yoder *(W, 2-0) earned his second win of the season, contributing 2 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. *Eris Filpo *allowed one run on four hits with three strikeouts in two innings of work.

The series continues tomorrow, with first pitch at 7:00 p.m. RHP John Matthews (2-4, 7.78) gets the ball for the Wood Ducks and RHP Martin Carrasco (1-4, 5.11) will toe the rubber for Kannapolis.

Fans can purchase tickets on woodducksbaseball.com, by calling the Wood Ducks Team Offices at (252) 686-5164 or in the Wood Ducks Team Offices located at Grainger Stadium (Mon-Fri – 9am - 4pm). Make sure to follow your Down East Wood Ducks on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook so you don’t miss anything!