The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (42-43, 10-10) concluded their five-game series against the Wilson Warbirds (47-29, 11-9) by resuming their Saturday night game on Sunday afternoon at Wilson Ballpark. Sunday’s game was cancelled. Charlie Weber was scheduled to be on the mound for Fayetteville against Hayden Robinson of Wilson. Weber did not pitch on Sunday. Instead, Jesus Carrera was on the mound for Fayetteville.
At the top of the first inning, Josh Wakefield hit a double to center field. A groundout by Anthony Huezo moved him to third base, followed by Waner Luciano walking on four pitches. Just before Carlos Cauro was up to bat, the skies opened up and began to downpour at Wilson Ballpark, sending the game to a rain delay. The game would later be postponed due to playing conditions, and resumed on Sunday.
Fayetteville first baseman Carlos Cauro hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Wakefield for a 1-0 lead. With two outs, German Ramirez struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
In the bottom of the first inning, Wilson had a runner on first base when Alexander Frias hit a two-run home run to right field to put the Warbirds ahead 2-1. It was his second home run of the season. With two outs, Carrera struck out Frederi Montero to end the inning.
In the bottom of the second inning, Wilson had a runner on first base with one out when Kevin Garcia hit a two-run home run to left field for a 4-1 lead. It was his fifth home run of the season. With two outs, Juan Ortuno was caught stealing second base, and the inning was over. Jesus Carrera went three innings, allowing five hits, four runs, and three strikeouts, throwing 50 pitches, of which 33 were strikes.
Aubrey Smith pitched for Fayetteville in the bottom of the fourth inning. Wilson had runners on second and third base with one out when Filippo Di Turi hit a two-run RBI single to right field, scoring Rylan Mills and Luis Lameda for a 6-1 lead.
Later, Alexander Frias reached first base on a fielding error by shortstop German Ramirez, scoring Filippo Di Turi for a 7-1 lead. Two batters later, Pedro Ibarguen hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Alexander Frias for an 8-1 lead. Frederi Montero lined out to center fielder Anthony Huezo for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Rylan Mills hit a triple to left field. Luis Lameda followed up by hitting an RBI single to right field, scoring Mills for a 9-1 lead. With two outs, Smith struck out Juan Ortuno to end the inning. Smith went three innings, allowing five hits, five runs, one walk, and two strikeouts, throwing 58 pitches, of which 32 were strikes.
Leomar Rosario pitched for Fayetteville in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rosario loaded the bases when he walked Juan Ortuno, scoring Rylan Mills. The Warbirds now led the Woodpeckers 10-1. Rosario also walked Alexander Frias, scoring Luis Lameda for an 11-1 lead.
Brandon Cassedy replaced Rosario with two outs. A groundout by Jose Anderson ended the inning. Leomar Rosario allowed a hit, two runs, four walks, and one strikeout, throwing 37 pitches, of which 15 were strikes.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Wilson had the bases loaded when Cassedy walked Luis Lameda, scoring Pedro Ibarguen for a 12-1 lead. Kevin Garcia hit into a fielder’s choice. A fielding error by second baseman Hector Salas scored Frederi Montero for a 13-1 lead.
Filippo Di Turi followed up by hitting a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Rylan Mills for a 14-1 lead. Alexander Frias hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Luis Lameda for a 15-1 lead. Jose Anderson cleared the bases with a three-run home run to left field for an 18-1 lead. Ryan Mathiesen replaced Brandon Cassedy with two outs. A groundout by Pedro Ibarguen ended the inning. Brandon Cassedy allowed four hits, seven runs, and two walks, throwing 39 pitches, of which 21 were strikes, while Mathiesen threw four pitches, of which two were strikes.
The Woodpeckers were blown out by the Warbirds 18-1. They finished the afternoon with six hits, committed two errors, went 1 for 3 with runners in scoring position, and left three men on base. The loss went to Fayetteville starter Jesus Carrera (0-4), and the win went to Wilson starter Joshua Quezada (4-2).
The Woodpeckers will be off for four days for the All-Star Break. They return to Segra Stadium on Friday for a short three-game homestand against the Augusta GreenJackets at 7:05 pm on the MLB App and Bally Sports Live.
