Woodies earn second straight win at Buies Creek
Story courtesy of Dominic Cotroneo / Down East Wood Ducks
The Down East Wood Ducks (9-11 second half, 44-46 overall) used dominant pitching efforts from Yohander Mendez and Jacob Lemoine in a 3-1 victory over Buies Creek (13-7, 50-39) Tuesday night. Mendez did not allow an earned run over a season-high seven innings pitched while Lemoine closed out his fourth save of the season.
The offense got out to an early start by putting each of the first two pitches of the game in play. LeDarious Clark’s first pitch back from the disabled list was a double down the left field line. Leody Taveras dropped a perfect bunt on the next offer to put runners on the corners for Josh Altmann, who beat out a double play ball for an RBI.
An unearned run for the Astros was plated in the second but that capped their production against Mendez for the night. He ended 16 of his 26 batters faced in four pitches or fewer as he need 96 pitches to complete seven innings.
The win was the lefty’s first win of the 2018 regardless of level, as it was his second quality start with the Wood Ducks.
Brady Rodgers started on a rehab assignment for the Astros and exited after four innings. Abdiel Saldana entered for the fifth with a 7-0 record on the season. In his first appearance against the Woodies since the 2017 regular season finale, the offense made sure to remind him of the game.
Brendon Davis singled to start the rally with one out before Ricky Valencia lined a double to right-center to move both into scoring position. The next two at-bats produced runs as Melvin Novoa singled up the third base line and Franklin Rollin knocked a sacrifice fly to right to give the DEWDs a 3-1 lead.
After Mendez exited, Lemoine entered for his second save opportunity of the half. He struck out the side in the eighth and recorded two more in the ninth to earn his second six-out save of the season.
The Woodies won back-to-back games for only the third time this half and will look to make a winning streak on Wednesday in game three of the series. Right-hander Walker Weickel will get the start from Jim Perry Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
