Muckdogs Tame Scrappers with Fourth of July Win

NILES, O.H. - The Mahoning Valley Scrappers dropped a holiday divisional game at Eastwood Field on Wednesday, falling 4-3 to the Batavia Muckdogs. A seventh inning comeback was not enough as the Muckdogs were able to take the first game between the Pinckney Division foes this season. It's just the second home loss for the Scrappers on the season as they drop to 7-2 at Eastwood Field in the early going.
Mahoning Valley opened the scoring right away in the bottom of the first inning. Gabriel Mejia led off the game with a triple down the left field line and Jose Fermin followed on the next pitch with a single to bring Mejia in.
Batavia responded and gained the lead in the fourth inning. They plated three runs (one earned) on four singles. A fielding error by Scrappers first baseman Mitch Reeves with one out allowed Muckdogs cleanup hitter Sean Reynolds to reach base. Michael Donadio singled prior to that and went to second base.
Batavia then got on the board with a single from Albert Guaimaro to tie the game at 1-1. After Denis Karas flew out, Demetrius Sims singled in Reynolds to give Batavia a 3-1 lead.
Scrappers starter Cameron Mingo threw four innings for Mahoning Valley. He allowed three runs on six hits. He struck out two and allowed zero walks. He was replaced by Luis Valdez in the fifth.
Batavia added insurance in the seventh with a solo home run from Igor Baez. His first professional home run, a no-doubter to left-center field, gave Batavia a 4-1 lead.
The Scrappers sparked a rally in the bottom half of the seventh, but it was not enough to overcome the three-run deficit. Hosea Nelson walked and Henry Pujols followed with a double to give the Scrappers two runners on with no out. After Jason Rodriguez struck out swinging, Gabriel Mejia singled and reached second base on a throwing error, which allowed Nelson and Pujols to score and cut the Muckdogs lead to 4-3, which held for the remainder of the game.
Mahoning Valley (13-5) and Batavia (9-9) continue its series on Thursday. Scrappers RHP Alex Royalty is scheduled to make his professional debut versus Batavia's Humberto Mota (1-2, 4.25 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05.
Thursday is the second Buck Night of the season at Eastwood Field. Fans can purchase $1 general admission seats, and $1 drafts, hot dogs, and sodas will be sold. For tickets, call or visit the Chevy All-Stars Box Office at Eastwood Field at 330-505-0000 or click here.