CarL1 Down East Wood Ducks

20 Strikeouts Not Enough in Loss to Astros

Published on August 8, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Down East Wood Ducks News Release


KINSTON, NC - Grainger Stadium held another pitchers' duel on Tuesday that ran out of arms in extra innings. Joe Palumbo's brilliant start finished as a no decision in the Wood Ducks' (14-31, 49-66) eleven-inning 5-1 loss to the Astros (27-17, 64-49).

The southpaw tossed five shutout innings and set a new career-high with 11 strikeouts. Palumbo did not walk a batter and struck out eight of nine starters in the Buies Creek order. He only allowed two hits in what was his best start since his return to the Wood Ducks this season.

The DEWDs plated a run in the bottom of the fifth with heads-up base running. Brendon Davis led off the frame with a single to center, where the ball was bobbled just for a moment. Davis didn't lose a step and took second on the error.

Melvin Novoa faced an overshift next, but managed to drop a single the other way into right. Davis sped all the around to score and give the Wood Ducks the lead, 1-0.

Palumbo exited with the lead and Kaleb Fontenot entered for the next two frames. The righty picked up where Palumbo left off with three strikeouts to earn is team-leading seventh hold of the season.

Locke St. John entered for the eighth and allowed the Astros to lead the bases. However he would lock down the frame with strikeouts for all three outs in the frame. By preserving the 1-0 lead, he earned his sixth hold of the season.

Jacob Lemoine had the ninth, but the Astros would stage a rally. He exited with the bases loaded and only one out for Jairo Beras. JJ Matijevic fended off the final strike of the game twice to draw a bases loaded walk and tie the game at one.

Both teams traded zeros in the tenth, but the Wood Ducks were forced to use Josh Altmann in the eleventh. The Astros plated four runs in the frame and set the score at 5-1 to seal the win.

Game two of the series comes on Wednesday with right-hander Walker Weickel on the mound at 7:00 p.m. He will be countered by Jose Hernandez at Grainger Stadium with the gates opening at 6:00 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from August 8, 2018


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