Woodpeckers Win Third Straight Over Red Sox

SALEM, Va. – For the third straight night the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (12-13) were victors in front of a hostile crowd, taking down the Salem Red Sox (11-14) by a score of 5-3 from Salem Memorial Ballpark.

Salem started off on the right foot takin an early lead in the bottom of the first when Luis Ravelo lined an RBI single into the outfield scoring Cutter Coffey from second. However, that’s the only lead the Red Sox would have on the night.

Two innings later in the third, the Woodpeckers struck back on an RBI groundout from Zach Cole that scored Luis Encarnacion. The very next batter, Narbe Cruz, singled on a tough play for Red Sox third baseman Abram Liendo as the ball sailed over the head of first baseman Lyonell James as both Ryan Clifford and Tyler Whitaker took advantage scoring on the play giving the lead to Fayetteville, 3-1.

Salem would respond in the home half of the inning with a run of its own as Cutter Coffey scored on a passed ball from Woodpecker starter Andrew Taylor, cutting the Red Sox deficit to just a run.

Another two innings later, Fayetteville provided insurance scoring Encarnacion on a double from Cole extending the lead to 4-2.

Salem wouldn’t back down easily however, in the seventh Salem threatened with the bases loaded and one out for Miguel Bleis facing Jose Guedez who was making his debut on American soil getting called up straight from the Dominican Summer League. Bleis lined a pitch to center that was enough to score James from third.

The Sox subsequently reloaded the bases a batter later when Allen Castro drew a walk. That was enough for Woodpeckers manager Ricky Rivera pulling the Venezuelan from the ballgame in favor of Jeremy Molero (also making his single-A debut) who struck out Luis Ravelo in three pitches to get out of the inherited jam.

Fayetteville, not a fan of a one-run game scored another in the top of the ninth to keep Salem out of reach as Garrett McGowan singled to score Jackson Loftin from second to push the score to the eventual final tally, 5-3.

The Red Sox had a chance to rally in the bottom of the ninth as Coffey drew a leadoff walk off Woodpecker closer Ian Foggo (SV, 2) getting around to third on a wild pitch and a tag up on a fly out. But Coffey would watch the game end standing on third as Foggo retired the next three batters in order to give the visitors the win in front of a crowd of over 6,000.

Deury Carrasco (W, 1-0) earned the win out of the pen while Red Sox reliever Railin Perez (L, 0-1) took the loss on the bump allowing four of the five Woodpecker runs to cross the plate. Salem had a boatload of opportunities leaving 10 runners on base throughout the course of the game while Fayetteville shut down the Red Sox bats striking out 14.

Despite the loss for the Red Sox, the night was full of positives as following the third-inning error, Liendo made highlight play after highlight play at third base, and Caleb Bolden dealt three and a third out of the pen only allowing a single hit while striking out six Fayetteville batters.

The two sides now prepare for the series finale on Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Feel free to bring out the dog if you’re heading to the ballpark as it’s Bark at the Park at Salem Memorial Ballpark!

Location: Salem Memorial Ballpark

First Pitch: 6:07 p.m.

Time of Game: 2:42