Altmann stays hot in Wood Ducks victory

Photo courtesy of Dominic Cotroneo, Down East Wood Ducks

Down East Wood Ducks first baseman Josh Altmann’s three-run home run in the seventh inning – his third dinger in two games – erased a 1-0 deficit and led the Woodies past the Potomac Nationals, 5-1, at Historic Grainger Stadium Monday night.

In the first contest of a five-game home series versus the Nationals – and the first of a nine-game homestand – Altmann’s home run proved to be the difference. The 23-year-old from Homer Glen, Ill., hit two home runs in an 11-1 rout of host Winston-Salem on Sunday.

Designated hitter Andretty Cordero and third baseman Brendon Davis had an RBI double each in the eighth inning to provide the other two runs for the Woodies, who improved to 2-3 in the second half and 37-38 overall.

Potomac (1-3, 39-33), which won the Carolina League’s Northern Division first-half title, received a spectacular pitching effort from left-handed starter Matthew Crownover, who didn’t give up his first hit of the game until Leody Taveras’ single in the sixth inning. The southpaw, whose personal record dropped to 3-6 with the loss, gave up three runs (all earned) on five hits and two walks. He struck out six.

Kinston pitcher Cole Wiper improved his record to 2-0 with 1.1 innings of work in relief of starter Yohander Mendez, who gave up one run (earned) while only giving up three hits and walking one. He struck out nine.

Michael Matuella also went 1.1 innings for the Wood Ducks to earn his first save of the 2018 season.

First pitch for Game 2 of the Woodies and Nationals series is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Gates open at 6 p.m. for Taco Tuesday at Grainger Stadium; tacos are only $1 for fans. It’s also Food Lion BOGO night at the ballpark; fans that present their Food Lion MVP card at the box office will receive buy-one, get-one free general admission tickets with the purchase of up to six tickets.