Starter Jose Hernandez pitched into the eighth inning for Buies Creek.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

The Buies Creek Astros topped Winston-Salem 3-1 at Jim Perry Stadium on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five Carolina League Southern Division championship series.

Corey Julks provided the winning margin with a 2-run homer in the sixth inning.

The Astros had tied the score at 1 in the fourth on an RBI double by Seth Beer.

Jose Hernandez pitched seven and one-third innings for the win. He allowed four hits and one earned run while striking out nine without a walk. Colin McKee was on the mound for the last one and two-thirds innings. McKee didn’t yield a hit and struck out three with no walks in picking up the save.

Seth Beer follows through on an RBI double for the Astros.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Bryan De La Cruz scores on a double by Seth Beer.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Jose Hernandez covers first for a fifth-inning out.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

J.J. Matijevic runs to first with a sixth-inning single.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Corey Julks is welcomed as he trots home after a two-run blast.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)