Josh Altmann scores the first run of the game on Anderson Tejeda's double in the first inning of Monday's 6-3 victory for the Down East Wood Ducks at Historic Grainger Stadium. The Woodies improved to 6-6 in the second half and 41-41 overall with the win. Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse News

The Down East Wood Ducks used a formula that is becoming increasingly familiar in their 6-3 victory against the Salem Red Sox Monday night – solid starting pitching and timely hits.

Add eight bases-on-balls by Salem pitchers and some impressive defense and that recipe was enough to get the Woodies back to .500 in the second half (6-6) and overall (41-41).

The Wood Ducks took a 2-0 lead after one inning thanks to an RBI double by Anderson Tejeda and a run scored by Leody Taveras. They tacked on runs in the second (following an Eric Jenkins triple and run scored on a wild pitch) and third (on a Tejeda solo home run) and had a 4-3 lead after five innings.

Melvin Novoa scored on a bases-loaded walk earned by Tejeda in the sixth inning and the Woodies closed their scoring on a solo home run by Josh Altmann in the eighth. Altmann’s dinger gave him 14 for the season, a new season record for DEWD in its short existence.

Altmann kept up his torrid second half pace with a 2-for-5 performance at the plate that included his homer and two runs scored. Tejeda continued his terrific season, too, with a 2-for-3 stint at the plate which included his solo home run, a double and three RBIs.

Robby Rowland improved to 1-1 for the season by scattering six hits in five innings while striking out two and walking two. Only two of the three runs Rowland surrendered were earned.

Kaleb Fontenot earned his fifth hold of the season with two perfect innings that included two strikeouts while Cole Wiper picked up his first save of the season with a two innings of closing relief.

In a game full of great defensive plays by the Wood Ducks, none were more important than Franklin Rollin’s web gem in the fifth that stole a three-run home run from the Carolina League’s leading slugger, Bobby Dalbec. Rollin elevated and appeared to reach over the right field fence to bring back Dalbec’s dinger that would’ve given the Red Sox (5-6, 37-42) the lead.

Salem starting pitcher Tanner Houck fell to 3-10 by only lasting 4.2 innings; he gave up four earned runs on four hits while walking five. He also struck out nine.

Although Salem had seven hits in the game, no Red Sox player had more than one.

The Woodies close a nine-game homestand – including a four-game series against Salem – with their Fourth of July celebration. Fans that wear red, white and blue to the game can get $3 off their game tickets and there will also be a fireworks show that is being billed as the biggest and longest of the season. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first pitch is at 7 for the contest.