RidgeYaks Score Final Seven Runs to Open Crucial Series with 10-4 Victory Over Fayetteville

SALEM, Va. – The Salem RidgeYaks (44-58, 19-18) opened a pivotal six-game series against the first-place Fayetteville Woodpeckers (52-49, 20-16) with a statement on Tuesday night, scoring the game's final seven runs to cruise to a 10-4 victory at Carilion Clinic Field.

After Fayetteville struck first with an RBI single by Luis De Leon in the opening inning, Salem answered immediately in the bottom half. Henry Godbout worked a leadoff walk before Kleyver Salazar delivered an RBI double to center. Two batters later, Louis Andujar launched a two-run home run over the left-field wall to give the RidgeYaks a 3-1 advantage. It was Andujar's sixth homer of the season and the first two his three RBIs on the night.

The Woodpeckers responded in the second inning as Waner Luciano connected on a two-run homer to even the game at 3-3. Fayetteville regained the lead in the fifth when Kevin Alvarez delivered an RBI single.

Salem pulled away for good in the bottom of the fifth. Avinson Pinto lead off with a single, stole second to give way to Salazar once again. The catcher ripped an RBI double, followed with a wild pitch and Starlyn Nunez RBI single to give the Yaks a 6-4 lead after five frames.

The offense continued to add insurance over the final three innings.

Opata extended the lead with an RBI single in the seventh after Andujar reached on an error, stole second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third. In the eighth, the RidgeYaks loaded the bases with four consecutive walks before Nunez forced in another run with his second bases-loaded walk of the evening. Andujar capped the scoring with an RBI fielder's choice, giving Salem a six-run cushion.

Salem's patience at the plate proved to be the difference, drawing 10 walks while finishing 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Salazar went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored, Opata finished 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and walk, while Pinto added two hits and an RBI. Godbout and Primera each crossed the plate twice after drawing three walks apiece.

On the mound, Cole Tolbert allowed three earned runs over 3.1 innings before Yermain Ruiz (3-2) settled the game with three innings of relief, surrendering just one unearned run while striking out three. Harry Blum closed the door by retiring eight of the final nine hitters over the last 2.2 innings to earn his third save of the season.

With the win, Salem moves to just 1.5 games out of first place and continue this gigantic series Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. as Salem looks to make up another full game Wednesday night.

Game Notes

• Salem snapped their three game losing skid and are back in the win column for the first time since Thursday night
• Louis Adujar blasted his sixth home run in the first inning
• Over his last 24 games since June 27, Andujar is hitting .312 (29-for-93) with 22 RBI, and all six of his homers.
• Andujar has recorded a hit in 18 of his last 24 games after collecting hits in just five of his first 20 games
• Salem has belted home runs in 17 of their last 20 games since July 9. The Yaks have hit 26 home runs over their last 20 games, which is the second most home runs by any Single-A club since July 9 trailing just the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (28)
• Ozzie Chavez won his 100^th game as the Manager of Salem and becomes the third straight Salem skipper to win 100+ in their two years at helm
• Henry Godbout and Franklin Primera both drew three walks tying their career highs in the free pass department
• Six of Salem’s 10 walks drawn came from the top two hitters in the lineup
• In 28 second-half games, Kleyver Salazar leads the Carolina league with a .360 batting average and ranks third with his 1.047 OPS
• Andrews Opata recorded his team leading 24^th multi-hit effort this season
• Harry Blum retired the final eight batters he faced for his third save on the season
• Blum has now pitched three straight scoreless outing dating back to July 26
• Salem won their first game over Fayetteville this season
• The RidgeYaks move back to .500 at home this season at 24-24