Woodpeckers Fall Short of Giant Comeback in Loss to FredNats

Fayetteville, NC - After falling behind 11-0 on Wednesday night at Segra Stadium, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (20-27) showed late life with seven unanswered runs but ultimately couldn’t complete the monstrous comeback in a 13-7 defeat to the Fredericksburg Nationals (24-22). Leading the big rally was a three-home run effort by Rainer Rivas, Freddy Guilamo and Yeuris Ramirez.

The runaway inning for the FredNats came in the fifth, already leading 4-0. Kasey Ford struggled to find the zone, walking six total hitters and allowing three runs before departing with one out and the bases loaded. Jayson Schroeder took over and surrendered a grand-slam to TJ White that blew the game open 11-0.

FredNats pitching held the Woodpeckers offense hitless for the first five innings before Leosdany Molina broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff infield single in the sixth. That base hit started a string of five straight hits against Andrew Alvarez (W, 1-3). Joey Loperfido drove in the first run of the night with an RBI double. Logan Cerny followed it up with a single before Tyler Whitaker and Victor Mascai each connected for RBI singles of their own to make it an 11-3 game.

The long-ball came into play for the first time in the eight inning. With two-runners on base and one out, Rainer Rivas connected for his first hit in a Woodpeckers uniform, a three-run blast off Todd Peterson that cut the score to 11-6. Freddy Guilamo then went back-to-back with Rivas, sending a solo HR into the left field bullpen. It marked the first time that Fayetteville has hit back-to-back home runs this season and turned it to 11-7.

The stretch of seven straight runs came to an end in the top of the ninth when pinch-hitter Yohander Rivero drove in a pair with a soft fly ball that dropped between three fielders in shallow center field.

Yeuris Ramirez provided the final big swing of the night, going deep for a second straight game with a two-run homer that closed the score at 13-9.

The six-game series is now even and continues on Thursday night at Segra Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. Alex Santos (0-3, 4.28 ERA) will make the start for Fayetteville and be opposed by RHP Rodney Theophile (4-1, 1.45 ERA).

GAME BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/669606/final/box