Santander Homers for Lone Run in Loss to Mudcats 

Fayetteville, NC – The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (16-11) lineup was largely held in check on Tuesday night, managing just one run on a solo homer in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Mudcats (19-7) in the series opener at Segra Stadium.

Mudcats starter Miguel Rodriguez (W, 2-2) retired 13 straight Fayetteville bats to begin the night and worked on an early perfect game bid until Waner Luciano connected for a one-out single. Rodriguez pitched seven innings, the longest outing for an opposing starter this season.

Yeriel Santos (L, 1-1) also impressed on the mound with a season-long 5.0 inning start. The 20-year-old right-hander struck out six and suffered a tough-luck loss after allowing a lone run on a Yophery Rodriguez RBI single in the third inning. Rodriguez drove in all four runs for Carolina, also connecting for a three-run homer against Alain Pena in the top of the seventh that proved to be the game-winning swing.

Juan Santander broke up the Carolina shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh, swatting a solo homer to right field off Garcia. Santander’s third homer of the season wound up being Fayetteville’s only run of the game. K.C. Hunt (SV, 1) took over from the Carolina bullpen in the eighth and closed the game with a two-inning save.

The six-game home series continues Wednesday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM. Fayetteville is projected to start RHP Sandy Mejia and Carolina will throw RHP Bishop Letson. It’s Waggin’ Wednesday and fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark. Vaccination records are required. 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/754001/final/box