Game Turns Lopsided Late in Woodpeckers Loss to Mudcats

Fayetteville, NC – The final score looked ugly at the end of a game that was relatively close for seven innings. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (17-13) allowed the Carolina Mudcats (20-9) to score nine runs over the final three frames, falling 11-2 Thursday night at Segra Stadium.

Game three of the series kicked off with solid pitching from both starters. Carolina right-hander Daniel Corniel (W, 1-0) delivered a quality start with six innings, and 18-year-old Fayetteville starter Raimy Rodriguez hurled a season-long five innings.

Rodriguez allowed five total walks, but did not allow any of the free runners to score. He struck out four and allowed one run on a sacrifice fly to Juan Baez in the first inning.

Carolina took a 2-1 lead with another sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth against Julio Marte (L, 0-2). Marte allowed two more runs in the top of the seventh to give Carolina the 4-1 advantage entering the stretch.

Kenni Gomez cut the game back to 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, slugging a deep 406 foot home run over the right-center field wall off Jefferson Figueroa. It would end up being the final run of the night as the Mudcats countered with a solo homer from Miguel Briceno in the top of the eighth, plus a huge six-run night.

The lineup went a collective 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners stranded on base.

The six-game home series continues Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. The Woodpeckers will transition into their alternate identity the Fayetteville Eighty Deuces and fans can enjoy a fireworks show after the game. The Woodpeckers radio broadcast can be heard at fayettevillewoodpeckers.com or through the MiLB App and watched online on MiLB.tv.

Full Box Score: https://www.milb.com/gameday/753996/final/box