Comeback Ninth Turns to Defeat as GreenJackets Walk-Off Woodpeckers 6-5

May 22, 2021

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - After an improbable comeback in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday night at SRP Park, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (8-9) saw their winning hopes dashed in a 6-5 walk-off loss to the Augusta GreenJackets (8-9). Although the bullpen couldn’t close it out, Joe Perez became

Trailing 3-2 entering the top of the ninth, Augusta nearly iced the game after Miguel Pena (W, 2-0) fouled out Zach Daniels and struck out Matthew Barfoot looking. Having already homered with a solo shot in the first inning, Joe Perez evened the score with his second blast of the night, sending one off the center field batter’s eye.

Nerio Rodriguez extended the inning with a single in the next at bat, and Justin Dirden proceeded to crush a high fastball over the right-center field wall and give the Woodpeckers a 5-3 lead.

Diosmerky Tavares entered from the bullpen in the fifth behind Cesar Gomez, and only surrendered a single hit the entire night, a RBI single to Bryson Horne in the sixth. Tavares opened the ninth by striking out Horne, but was pulled from the game after walking Cam Shepard. Ernesto Jaquez (L, 1-1) entered and put the tying man on with a walk to Cade Bunnell, then hit Vaughn Grissom with a pitch to load the bases.

Jaquez continued to waver, walking Willie Carter with the bases loaded and tightening the game to 5-4. With the bases still full, Javier Valdes saw a pitch to hit, and connected for a game-winning two-run single down the left field line, handing the Woodpeckers a 6-5 defeat.

The Woodpeckers will try to secure a series split on Sunday afternoon with LHP Bryan De Paula scheduled to face off against RHP Alec Barger. First pitch is at 2:05 pm ET from SRP Park.

FULL BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/woodpeckers-vs-greenjackets/2021/05/22/649605#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=649605