Woodpeckers Pull off Eighth-Inning Comeback, Win Third Straight against Mudcats

July 30, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers News Release

Fayetteville, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (41-52, 10-18) pulled ahead of the Carolina Mudcats (47-48, 13-16) on a two-run single from Jose Alvarez in the eighth inning on Saturday night, winning their third straight game by a 3-2 final at Segra Stadium.

Bryant Salgado and Carlos Rodriguez both worked scoreless starts before the game was paused due to lightning in the top of the fifth inning.

The Woodpeckers were without a hit over the first four innings, and the game remained scoreless until the sixth when Eduarqui Fernandez hit a solo home run off Carlos Calderon (W, 3-5), giving Carolina a 1-0 lead. Carolina added another run in the seventh on an Alberis Ferrer RBI single, extending to a 2-0 advantage.

The shutout bid ended in the bottom of the seventh when Jose Alvarez walked, stole a pair of bases, and scored on a wild pitch that cut the game to 2-1.

Fayetteville continued to press against Michele Vassalotti (L, 8-2) in the eighth inning once Joey Loperfido reached on a one-out single. Following a Justin Williams flyout, Victor Mascai and Tyler Whitaker loaded the bases with walks and set up Alvarez for his big swing. The Woodpeckers catcher rolled a sharp grounder underneath Jesus Chirinos at first, scoring Loperfido and Mascai for the 3-2 lead.

Calderon continued to pitch into the ninth and issued a one-out walk to Eduardo Garcia. With the tying run on, Hedbert Perez ripped a liner to second base that was caught by Molina and led to Garcia getting doubled off at first base to end the game.

The Woodpeckers now lead the series 3-2 and will try to win the six-game set on Sunday afternoon at Segra Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm with RHP Shea Barry scheduled to start against RHP Alexander Cornielle.

Fayetteville Woodpeckers in action

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Carolina League Stories from July 30, 2022

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• Augusta Ends Losing Skid with an Impressive Performance - Augusta GreenJackets
• Fireflies Back in First Following 3-2 Win - Columbia Fireflies
• Piper's Walk-Off Double Caps Shocking Comeback in Extra-Inning Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
• Myrtle Beach Drops Saturday Night Contest to Augusta 6-4 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Rutledge Dominates, FredNats Win Third Straight Over Salem - Fredericksburg Nationals
• Woodpeckers Pull off Eighth-Inning Comeback, Win Third Straight against Mudcats - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
• 'Birds Rally Twice to Swipe 5-4 Win from Hillcats - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes, - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Hearn Homers, Pelicans Defeat GreenJackets 5-2 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Columbia Fireflies Game Notes July 30 at Kannapolis - Columbia Fireflies
• Late Comeback Effort Comes up Just Short as Ballers Fall to Fireflies 7-6 Friday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Late Error Proves Costly in 2-1 Loss in Fayetteville - Carolina Mudcats

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