The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (47-65, 17-29 second half) battled in a 1-1 tie game before allowing two runs in the top of the eighth that saddled them with a 3-1 loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats (56-55, 25-21 second half) on Friday night at Segra Stadium.
Jose Fleury was stellar over a five-inning scoreless start. The 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic fell one short of a season-high mark with nine strikeouts and scattered just two singles in a no-decision.
In the top of the fourth, Garret Guillemette proved the 1-0 lead and the only run of the day for Fayetteville with a solo home run over the left field wall off Jackson Humphries. The blast was the second of the season for the catcher and propped up the lead until Manuel Mejias tied the game with an RBI single in the sixth off Jose Guedez (L, 1-2).
With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth, Wuilfredo Antunez led with a double and scored on a slow roller toward third base from Jose Devers. The go-ahead fielder’s choice was followed with a line drive to left field by Mejias that got through Cam Fisher on an error in left field and scored Devers.
With his team down 3-1, Guillemette started the ninth with a double before the Woodpeckers struck out three straight times against Alonzo Richardson (W, 5-7) to close the game.
The six-game series continues Saturday night with the first pitch at 5:05 p.m.
The Woodpeckers are projected to start right-hander Alimber Santa; right-hander Austin Peterson will get the ball for Lynchburg.
Saturday is Airborne Appreciation Night at Segra Stadium. The first 1,000 fans will receive an airborne retro jersey courtesy of Fort Liberty Credit Union and FOXY 99.
