Fayetteville, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (68-53, 36-20 2nd Half) pulled off a late comeback in the rain on Friday night, scoring six runs in the bottom of the eighth to erase a 2-0 deficit and win a franchise record tenth straight ballgame. The win eliminated the Salem RidgeYaks (52-70, 27-30) from playoff contention and expanded Fayetteville’s lead to 8.0 games in the division with nine to play in the regular season.
Fayetteville’s lineup was silenced over the first seven innings of the game, primarily by Leighton Finley who worked six shutout innings and struck out nine. Jagger Beck countered with five shutout innings as well and struck out seven.
The scoreless tie was broken in the top of the sixth after Beck departed. Jhoster Baez surrendered a two-run homer to Kleyver Salazar down the left field line that gave Salem a 2-0 advantage.
Carson Revay pitched a scoreless seventh inning before Fayetteville mounted their comeback against the lefty in the eighth. Kevin Alvarez led off with a single and scored on a Waner Luciano RBI double that broke up Salem’s shutout bid. Juan Sierra tied the game two at bats later with a sacrifice-fly, chasing Revay from the game. Harry Blum entered from the bullpen and walked three straight hitters, including Logan Hughes with the bases loaded to hand Fayetteville a 3-2 lead. Kam Durnin then capitalized with a two-run single and Alvarez capped the rally with an RBI hit for the 6-2 advantage.
Ryan Verdugo closed out the game with 3.0 innings of shutout relief. The reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week struck out six and has not allowed a run over his last nine innings.
The Woodpeckers magic number now sits at 2 going into Saturday night. Fayetteville can win the second half north division title with a victory tomorrow night plus a Wilson loss. RHP Adrian Ardines is projected to start Saturday’s game opposite Salem RHP Sadbiel Delzine.
Full Box Score: https://www.milb.com/gameday/827227/final/wrap