Woodpeckers Use Three Big Innings to Sink Cannon Ballers 9-2

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Three straight three-run innings to open the game provided the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Low-A, HOU) plenty of cushion on Wednesday night, as they grabbed a 9-2 victory over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Low-A, CHW) at Segra Stadium. The win marked the first time the Woodpeckers have secured consecutive wins this season, and improved the club to 2-0 at home.

After a quick two outs in the bottom of the first, J.C. Correa jump started a two-out rally with a sinking double down the right field line. Nerio Rodriguez capitalized in the next at-bat, singling home Correa, then scoring on a two-run homer from Zach Daniels.

In the second inning, Joe Perez walked and scored on a wild pitch to begin another three-run inning. Matthew Barefoot reached on a fielding error and Correa followed with his second double of the game, jumping the lead to 5-1. With two outs, Shay Whitcomb singled in Correa to make it a 6-1 advantage.

After Kenedy Corona scored on a bases loaded walk in the third, Daniels capped the Fayetteville scoring with a two-run single. The Astros top-20 prospect finished the night 3-for-4 with a season-high four RBI.

Enjoying a 9-2 lead for the remainder of the game, Christian Mejias (1-1) weaved through a season-best performance once stepping to the mound to start the sixth. The right hander struck out 10 over his four relief innings without surrendering a walk or allowing a run and earning the win. Kannapolis starter Chase Solesky pitched one inning and suffered the loss (0-1).

With the win, Fayetteville improved to 3-5 and Kannapolis falls to 0-8.

The series resumes on Wednesday at Segra Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 pm ET. Righty Angel Macuare (0-1, 2.45) is scheduled to start for Fayetteville and Kannapolis will roll out RHP Matt Thompson (0-1, 4.50) to begin the night.