Wood Ducks Continue Rolling; Claim Series from Astros

BUIES CREEK, NC -Emerson Martinez won his second consecutive start and the Down East (25-24, 49-69) offense exploded for a home run derby in a 9-3 win over Buies Creek (31-17, 68-50). Martinez worked into the eighth inning with only one walk in his 11th quality start of the season.

The offense was supplied in part from three home runs from Josh Morgan, Chuck Moorman, and Matt Lipka. Also aiding the hitters was their patience, as the Wood Ducks drew more walks (8) than strikeouts (7) in the contest.
Both teams traded a one in the first, beginning with Morgan's solo homer to left-center with two outs. It was his first home run since his July 3rd grand slam. Down East would take the lead back in the third inning with Moorman's solo blast to lead off the frame and Yanio Perez's sacrifice fly to push the score to 3-1.
Martinez hit a groove after the first run scored in the first by retiring 12 batters in a row through the fourth. He faced the minimum in the fifth thanks to the first of two double plays turned by his defense in 5-4-3 fashion.
Preston Scott supplied another run in the sixth for the Woodies on an RBI double to right-center which allowed Ti'Quan Forbes to score from first. Buies Creek responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, but it would be the closest they'd get all night.
The Woodies took advantage of two walks in the eighth to extend the inning for Lipka to bat with two outs. He hammered a 3-1 offer over the wall in left for his seventh homer of the year.
Buies Creek added one in the eighth to prevent Martinez from completing eight innings for the second time this season. Scott Williams entered and retired the side on five pitches. For good measure, the Woodies added two more in the ninth on a double from Josh Altmann to set the pace at 9-3.
Williams returned for the ninth and fired a 1-2-3 inning, marking his 20th consecutive scoreless inning. Down East claims its second straight series against the Astros as the deficit is trimmed to 6.5 games in the standings.
The Woodies have another chance at their first sweep of the season on Sunday with lefty Brett Martin (1-8, 5.23) on the mound. He'll be countered by Jorge Alcala (4-4, 2.70) at 2:00 p.m. in the finale. You can listen live on Sports/Talk 960 The Bull or streamed on the TuneIn radio app.