The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (26-32) visited Carilion Clinic Field on Tuesday night to begin a six-game series against the Salem RidgeYaks (24-34). Jagger Beck was on the mound for Fayetteville against Jason Gilman of Salem.
Before the game started, the Houston Astros promoted RHP Kellan Oakes to high Single-A Asheville Tourists. Oakes appeared in nine games for the Woodpeckers. He went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA, 41 strikeouts, allowing 29 hits, 15 runs, 14 earned runs, a home run, two hit batters, and nine walks in 35.1 innings pitched.
At the top of the first inning, Fayetteville center fielder Kevin Alvarez and designated hitter Waner Luciano worked four-pitch walks. Kevin Alvarez stole third base, and Luciano stole second base. A throwing error by Salem catcher Adonys Guzman allowed Alvarez and Luciano to score for a 2-0 lead. With two outs, Hector Salas was called out on strikes, and the inning was over.
At the top of the second inning, Fayetteville catcher Arturo Flores hit a solo home run to left-center field for a 3-0 lead. It was his sixth home run of the season. Later, Fayetteville had a runner on second base when Mason Lytle hit an RBI double to left field, scoring German Ramirez for a 4-0 lead.
Anthony Huezo followed up by working a four-pitch walk, and a throwing error by Guzman scored Lytle for a 5-0 lead. Huezo ran to third base. During Kevin Alvarez’s at-bat, a balk was called on Salem starter Jason Gilman, scoring Huezo for a 6-0 lead. Alvarez struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
Moving to the top of the fourth inning, Fayetteville had a runner on second base when Anthony Huezo hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Camilo Diaz for a 7-0 lead. Diaz filled in for Mason Lytle, who pulled a hamstring after hitting a double. With two outs, Huezo was picked off at first base, and the inning was over.
Moving to the bottom of the sixth inning, Fayetteville starter Jagger Beck put runners on the corners before he was replaced by Jose Varela. Varela walked the next two batters, which forced in a run. The Woodpeckers led the RidgeYaks 7-1. After a mound visit, Varela walked Avinson Pinto, and it was now 7-2 with one out. Juan Fraide replaced Varela shortly after.
The walks continued as Fraide walked D’Angelo Ortiz, scoring Andruw Musett, and the RidgeYaks trailed the Woodpeckers 7-3. With two outs, Ilan Fernandez hit a two-run RBI single to left field, and it was now 7-5. Fraide struck out Starlyn Nunez, and the inning was over.
Jagger Beck went 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, three walks, and three strikeouts, throwing 74 pitches, of which 42 were strikes. Jose Varela allowed three runs and three walks, throwing 20 pitches, of which eight were strikes.
Juan Fraide continued to pitch for Fayetteville in the bottom of the ninth inning. Salem center fielder Stanley Tucker hit a single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Fraide. A balk was called on Fraide, and Tucker went to third base. With two outs, Andrews Opata hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Tucker, and it was now 7-6. A groundout by Adonys Guzman ended the game.
The Woodpeckers defeated the RidgeYaks 7-6 to end a two-game losing streak. Fayetteville finished the night with eight hits, 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position, and left six men on base. Anthony Huezo went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, an RBI, and a stolen base. The win went to Fayetteville starter Jagger Beck (1-2), and the loss went to Salem starter Jason Gilman.
The Woodpeckers and RidgeYaks play game two on Wednesday at 6:35 pm on the MLB App. Fayetteville have yet to name a starter, while Barrett Morgan (3-1, 2.25 ERA) will be on the mound for Salem.
