Leblanc Homers, but Woodies Fall as the K-Tribe

KINSTON, NC - The Wood Ducks became the Kinston Indians for the night, but could not continue their six-game winning streak as the K-Tribe in a 4-2 defeat to the Astros. Chuck Leblanc hit his fourth homer of the year in the loss as he moved into a tie for the league lead in RBIs with 23.

Jonathan Hernández started and fared well - only allowing three hits in seven innings of work. However two of the hits left the yard for home runs by the Astros. The right-hander finished with nine strikeouts, one short of his career-high, and worked into the seventh inning for the third straight start.
Offensively, the Wood Ducks were stymied by lefty Brett Adcock. Down East did not have a hit until the fifth inning on a Matt Whatley two-out triple. Adcock departed after six innings and the bats came alive.
Andretty Cordero led off the seventh with a single to center and Leblanc deposited a line shot to center field for a home run. Leblanc now has a homer in three of his last four games going back to Sunday with the Mudcats.
The Woodies would manage baserunners in each of the last two frames but leave them stranded against the Buies Creek bullpen and drop the finale. Still, the Wood Ducks finished with a 5-1 record for the home stand, marking the most wins for a home stand in franchise history. 
Down East hits the road for the weekend for a three-game set with the Carolina Mudcats in Zebulon. Friday's game begins at 7:00 p.m. with right-hander Michael Matuella on the mound against right-hander Marcos Diplán.