Woodies Close Call

8/2/22 Game Recap

By: Jackson Pass

Mitch Bratt opened up the homestand with the ball tonight against the Fredericksburg Nationals, sporting a 2.24 ERA, and started off strong throwing a one, two, three inning in the first, retiring the last batter with a strikeout looking. The Woodies take it to the bottom half hoping to score some runs against Nationals starter, Andry Lara, and score they do with Yosy Galan driving in Maximo Acosta, after Acosta reached on a leadoff single up the middle, and stole two bases. With a 1-0 lead, the Nationals threatened to tie up the game, after Geraldi Diaz hit a two out double.

The next innings had both teams relatively quiet, as a pitching duel occurred. The Nationals went up 2-1 in the fifth inning on a one out flyout to center with runners on second and third that resulted in an errant throw by the first baseman to third, trying to cut down the runner that was trying to escape back to the bag. The throw got away from the third baseman up the left field line where both runners scored.

The starters were relieved, Bratt in the fifth, after throwing 5.0 innings, with 4 strikeouts, 0 earned runs and Lara came out in the sixth with 6.0 innings, 5 strikeouts, and 1 earned run. The relievers picked up where the starters left off as both teams failed to score in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. The Wood Ducks threw Serrano for 3.0 innings and Wynard started the ninth and the Nats threw Collins for 2.0 innings..

The Woodies were still down one heading into the bottom of the ninth, as Wynyard efficiently obtained three outs in the top half. Riggs Threadgill entered in to close out the game for the save, but that was spoiled as the Woodies scored with Mateo leading off with an infield single, an infield bunt single put runners on first and second, and a double by Galan brings in a run to tie the game up 2-2 with runners now on second and third with no outs. The Nationals intentionally walked Cauley to load the bases and their strategy worked out as a 1-2-3 double play got two outs and a groundout to third takes us to extras.

A placement runner starts on second during extras and the Nationals scored two in the top of the tenth, one via a Diaz ground rule double that made it 3-2, and another via a sacrifice fly to center from Yoander Rivero. Marlon Perez came in to pitch to try and close out the Woodies. Villarroel started out at second as the placement runner, with Narvaez singling, making it first and third. Yenci Pena pinch hit for Ortiz and was walked and Bannister replaced him as a pinch runner on first, loading the bases. The Nats got one out on a pop up to first in foul territory. A fielder's choice grounder to shortstop scored one and made it two outs, Woodies down 4-3, with runners on first and third. A walk to Smith made the bases loaded for Galan. A fielder’s choice ended the game on a close play at second, with a 4-3 win for the Nationals.

The Wood Ducks (47-49) and Fredericksburg Nationals (55-41) continue their series tomorrow, on Wednesday, August 3rd, with the Nationals leading the series 1-0, as the first pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. in Kinston, NC at Grainger Stadium.

Fans can purchase tickets on woodducksbaseball.com, by calling the Wood Ducks Team Offices at (252) 686-5164 or in the Wood Ducks Team Offices located at Grainger Stadium (Mon-Fri – 9am - 4pm). Make sure to follow your Down East Wood Ducks on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook so you don’t miss anything!