Salem RidgeYaks
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SALEM, Va. – The Salem RidgeYaks (44-58, 19-18) opened a pivotal six-game series against the first-place Fayetteville Woodpeckers (52-49, 20-16) with a statement on Tuesday night, scoring the game’s final seven runs to cruise to a 10-4 victory at Carilion Clinic Field.
Starting the series right! #YakAttack #GoYaks pic.twitter.com/mj9AfgeDkJ
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 5, 2026
After Fayetteville struck first with an RBI single by Luis De Leon in the opening inning, Salem answered immediately in the bottom half. Henry Godbout worked a leadoff walk before Kleyver Salazar delivered an RBI double to center. Two batters later, Louis Andujar launched a two-run home run over the left-field wall to give the RidgeYaks a 3-1 advantage. It was Andujar’s sixth homer of the season and the first two his three RBIs on the night.
Salem takes down Fayetteville 10-4, in the series opener!@BradenSchenck catches up with @Paychex Player of the Game Harry Blum following his dominant eight-out save. pic.twitter.com/2TLxPk3HjP
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 5, 2026
The Woodpeckers responded in the second inning as Waner Luciano connected on a two-run homer to even the game at 3-3. Fayetteville regained the lead in the fifth when Kevin Alvarez delivered an RBI single.
Franklin Primera scores to give the RidgeYaks a 10-4 lead in the 8th. #YakAttack #GoYaks
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 5, 2026
Salem pulled away for good in the bottom of the fifth. Avinson Pinto lead off with a single, stole second to give way to Salazar once again. The catcher ripped an RBI double, followed with a wild pitch and Starlyn Nunez RBI single to give the Yaks a 6-4 lead after five frames.
Henry Godbout scores to give the RidgeYaks a 9-4 lead in the 8th. #YakAttack #GoYaks
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 5, 2026
The offense continued to add insurance over the final three innings.
Opata extended the lead with an RBI single in the seventh after Andujar reached on an error, stole second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third. In the eighth, the RidgeYaks loaded the bases with four consecutive walks before Nunez forced in another run with his second bases-loaded walk of the evening. Andujar capped the scoring with an RBI fielder’s choice, giving Salem a six-run cushion.
Andrews Opata scores on an Avinson Pinto single to give the RidgeYaks a 7-4 lead in the 6th. #YakAttack #GoYaks
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 5, 2026
Salem’s patience at the plate proved to be the difference, drawing 10 walks while finishing 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Salazar went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored, Opata finished 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and walk, while Pinto added two hits and an RBI. Godbout and Primera each crossed the plate twice after drawing three walks apiece.
Kleyver Salazar scores on a Starlyn Nunez single to give the RidgeYaks a 6-4 lead in the 5th. #YakAttack #GoYaks
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 5, 2026
On the mound, Cole Tolbert allowed three earned runs over 3.1 innings before Yermain Ruiz (3-2) settled the game with three innings of relief, surrendering just one unearned run while striking out three. Harry Blum closed the door by retiring eight of the final nine hitters over the last 2.2 innings to earn his third save of the season.
Avinson Pinto scores on a Kleyver Salazar double to tie the game at 4 in the 5th. #YakAttack #GoYaks
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 5, 2026
With the win, Salem moves to just 1.5 games out of first place and continue this gigantic series Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. as Salem looks to make up another full game Wednesday night.
Credit: https://www.mlb.com/milb/salem/news
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