The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (21-28) and the Hill City Howlers (25-24) played game four on Friday night at City Stadium. Charlie Weber was on the mound for Fayetteville against Jacob Zibin of Hill City.
At the top of the first inning with two outs, Fayetteville center fielder Kevin Alvarez hit a double to center field. First baseman Nehomar Ochoa Jr. followed up by hitting a two-run home run in left field to give the Woodpeckers a 2-0 lead. It was his fifth home run of the season. Juan Sierra hit a single to third base, but he would get caught stealing second base, and the inning was over.
Moving to the bottom of the fourth inning, Hill City center fielder Jose Pirela hit a solo home run to right-center field to cut the deficit to 2-1. It was his seventh home run of the season. With two outs, Yeiferth Castillo grounded into a forceout at second base, and the inning was over.
Fayetteville starter Charlie Weber pitched six innings, allowing two hits, one run, and three strikeouts, throwing 61 pitches, of which 41 were strikes. Leomar Rosario was pitching for Fayetteville in the bottom of the seventh inning.
With the bases loaded, Rosario walked Yaikel Mijares to force in a run, and the game was tied 2-2. With two outs, he struck out Yerlin Luis to retire the side. Rosario allowed a hit, a run, two walks, and two strikeouts, throwing 29 pitches, of which 16 were strikes.
Jose Serrano pitched for Fayetteville in the bottom of the eighth inning. He struck out one, throwing 15 pitches, of which eight were strikes, to get three outs.
Moving to the top of the tenth inning, Carlos Cauro started at second base. A wild pitch by Angel Perez allowed Cauro to move to third base, followed by German Ramirez working a four-pitch walk. With two outs, Xavier Neyens was called out on strikes, and the inning was over.
In the bottom of the tenth inning, Yaikel Mijares started at second base. A wild pitch by Serrano moved Mijares to third base. Then, a sacrifice fly by Yerlin Luis scored Mijares, and the game was over. The Woodpeckers lost to the Howlers 3-2. The loss ends Fayetteville’s two-game winning streak.
Fayetteville finished the night with 10 hits, committed one error, went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base. The loss went to Fayetteville pitcher Jose Serrano (2-2), and the win went to Hill City pitcher Angel Perez (4-2).
The Woodpeckers and Howlers play game five on Saturday at 6:30 pm on the MLB App. Fayetteville has not named a pitcher, while Chase Mobley (0-5, 15.12 ERA) will be on the mound for Hill City.
