Home Runs Power the Woodies Past the Astros

KINSTON, NC - A power surge charged the Wood Ducks (27-28, 51-73) in a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Astros (33-21, 70-54) on Friday night. Homers from LeDarious Clark, Preston Scott, and Ti'Quan Forbes accounted for four of the five runs scored for the offense.

Scott and Forbes went back-to-back with two outs in the eighth inning to break the tied game. Clark connected in the second inning to give the Woodies the lead with a two-run blast to left. His 10th long ball of the year ties him with Josh Altmann for the team lead.
On the mound, Steven Bruce worked five innings in his third start against Buies Creek. He did not walk a batter for the third straight start as well, while scattering eight hits. The righty would exit with a no decision.
With the game tied 2-2, Yanio Perez supplied the only run that wasn't scored from a homer. He singled to left-center to allow Luis La O to score and give the Woodies the lead.
Emerson Martinez made his first relief appearance of the season and worked the first two innings in scoreless fashion. The Astros made a two-out rally with the top of their order to bring up Yordan Alvarez. He blooped single down the left field line to tie the game.
That would set the stage in the eighth for Scott and Forbes to go back-to-back for the Woodies to restore the lead. It was the third such event for Down East this season, with all three occurrences at Grainger Stadium.
After Martinez, Adam Choplick struck out three of the four outs he recorded to claim the win. Manager Howard Johnson opted for Scott Williams to get the final out of the game in a right-on-right matchup and seal the save.
With the win, DEWD moves to 6.5 games back of the Astros for first place in the division. Game two of the series is at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday with lefty Brett Martin (1-8, 5.37) facing right-hander Jorge Alcala (4-4, 3.08).