Solo Shots from Garcia, Encarnacion Power Fayetteville to Victory over Kannapolis
Kannapolis, NC – After six consecutive games without a home run, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (18-28) got two big ones Wednesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. John Garcia and Luis Encarnacion both launched solo home runs that proved to be enough offense for the Woodpeckers in their 2-1 win over the
Kannapolis, NC – After six consecutive games without a home run, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (18-28) got two big ones Wednesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. John Garcia and Luis Encarnacion both launched solo home runs that proved to be enough offense for the Woodpeckers in their 2-1 win over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (23-23).
The game was scoreless over the first two innings before Garcia stepped into the box against Kannapolis starter Shane Murphy in the top of the third. With one out and a 3-1 count, Garcia got a fastball and destroyed it over the left field wall for his third home run of the season. It was his first long ball since April 18 in Columbia.
The Cannon Ballers eventually responded in the bottom of the fourth against Fayetteville starter Andrew Taylor. Bryce Willits drew a walk to begin the frame before Jhoneiker Betancourt hit a double to right center to put a pair in scoring position with no outs. Johnabiell Laureano then hit a fly ball to center that scored Willits and tied the game. Taylor picked up a big strikeout with the go-ahead run at second before Ian Foggo came on to end the inning with a punch out of his own.
The score remained level going into the seventh. Ricardo Balogh worked a lead-off walk but was quickly dispatched on a double play drawn by Kannapolis reliever Kole Ramage (L, 1-1). Then Encarnacion stepped in and blasted the first pitch he saw to deep left center to retake the lead for good for the Woodpeckers. It was Encarnacion’s second homer of the year with his first coming on April 27 at Segra Stadium against Down East.
Jose Fleury (W, 1-3) entered the game ahead of the fifth inning and never looked back on the mound. The righty went the rest of the way, tossing five scoreless innings and struck out half a dozen Cannon Ballers while allowing just one base hit. In the bottom of the ninth, Fleury pitched around a one-out walk and struck out the side to secure Fayetteville’s second straight win. The Woodpeckers have also one eight straight games at Atrium Health Ballpark dating back to last season.
Fayetteville will look for its third straight on Thursday night, sending RHP Amilcar Chirinos to the mound to make his second Single-A start. For Kannapolis, they counter with LHP Tyler Schweitzer. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 ET.