SALEM, VA - The Wilson Warbirds scored six times in the second inning and made that lead hold up as they clawed past the Salem RidgeYaks 7-5 on Friday night Salem Memorial Ballpark to level the six game series at two games apiece.
For the second straight night, Wilson (62-53, 26-23 second half) jumped out to an early lead thanks to the 12th home run of the season from Handelfry Encarnacion, a solo shot in the first for a 1-0 advantage.
In the second, the Warbirds added on scoring six times, highlighted by a two-run double from Jose Anderson and a Encarnacion two-run single which helped grow the lead to 7-0.
Salem (51-64, 26-25 second half) responded with five unanswered runs including three in the fourth off Tyler Renz. Adonys Guzman punctuated the frame with an RBI double for a 7-3 Wilson lead.
In the fifth and sixth the RidgeYanks charged back with a Franklin Primera single and a Guzman home run which trimmed the deficit to 7-5.
Still trailing by two in the ninth, Salem brought the winning run to the plate with two out but that would be as far as the comeback would get as Primera rolled out to Juan Ortuno to end the game and seal the 7-5 victory for Wilson.
Diustin Mayorquin (W, 7-2) covered the final 4.1 innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one run and scattering three hits to notch the victory.
Leighton Finley (L, 6-5) permitted five earned runs and was charged with the loss.
The clubs meet again on Saturday night at 6:35 P.M. when Wilson sends RHP Carlos Carra (3-9, 5.32) to the hill while Salem is expected to counter with RHP Sadbiel Delzine (0-1, 3.00).