The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (12-18) played game three on Thursday night against the Wilson Warbirds (13-17) from Segra Stadium. Javier Perez was on the mound for Fayetteville against Tyler Renz of Wilson.
At the top of the first inning, Wilson center field Jose Anderson hit a solo home run to left field for a 1-0 lead. It was his sixth home run of the season. With two outs, a groundout by Frederi Montero ended the inning.
Moving to the top of the third inning, Wilson had a runner on second base with two outs when Brady Ebel hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Jadyn Fielder for a 2-0 lead. Jose Anderson followed up with a single to left field. Fayetteville left fielder D.J. Newman threw the ball to catcher Yosweld Vaquez to get Fielder out at home plate, and the inning was over.
Moving to the bottom of the fourth inning, Fayetteville third baseman Camilo Diaz worked a four-pitch walk with one out. He later stole second base. German Ramirez hit an RBI double to left field, scoring Diaz, and the Woodpeckers cut the deficit to 2-1.
Carlos Cauro worked a four-pitch walk, but he got caught stealing second base, while Ramirez stole third base. Fayetteville left fielder D.J. Newman hit a two-run home run to right field, giving the Woodpeckers a 3-2 lead with two outs. It was Newman’s first home run of the season. Brandon Forrester was called out on strikes, and the inning was over.
Javier Perez pitched six innings, allowing four hits, two runs, one walk, and six strikeouts, throwing 83 pitches, of which 58 were strikes. Charlie Weber was the new pitcher for Fayetteville at the top of the seventh inning. He walked two, throwing 20 pitches, of which 12 were strikes, to get three outs.
Shortly after the bottom of the seventh inning was completed, rain began to fall at Segra Stadium, forcing the game into a rain delay. The rain did not let up, and the game was called. The Woodpeckers defeated the Warbirds 3-2.
Fayetteville finished the night with five hits, committed one error, went 2 for 5 with runners in scoring position, and left four men on base. D.J. Newman went 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. The win went to Fayetteville starter Javier Perez (2-2), Charlie Weber earned the save (2), and the loss went to Wilson starter Tyler Renz (1-2).
The Woodpeckers and Warbirds play game four on Friday at 7:05 pm on the MLB App. Fayetteville has yet to name a starter, while Jacob Morrison (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will be on the mound for Wilson.
