NILES, O.H. - After Thursday's game was called in the top of the fifth inning due to rain, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers walked off as winners as the game was completed before the regularly-scheduled Friday game, 7-6. The Batavia Muckdogs limited the Scrappers to two hits in Game 2, earning
NILES, O.H. - After Thursday's game was called in the top of the fifth inning due to rain, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers walked off as winners as the game was completed before the regularly-scheduled Friday game, 7-6. The Batavia Muckdogs limited the Scrappers to two hits in Game 2, earning the split with a 2-1 win.
Two of the top draft picks from the Cleveland Indians' 2018 class made their professional debuts on the mound on Thursday. Eighth-round pick Alex Royalty started and threw three scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out four on 40 pitches. Indians fourth-round pick LHP Adam Scott took over in the fourth inning. He struck out two in the fourth inning and threw two pitches in the fifth before the game was called.
In Game 1, the Scrappers held a 6-3 lead into the top of the ninth, but Batavia worked to tie the game and send it to at least a bottom half. Scrappers closer Erick Algarin allowed three earned runs on two hits and two walks. Luis Santos relieved Algarin with one out in the inning and allowed the second and third runs to score in the inning.
The Scrappers used two-out magic in the ninth to walk off with the Game 1 win. Tyler Freeman began the two-out rally with a single to right field. Richie Palacios walked to follow, and the two advanced on a wild pitch as Mitch Reeves stepped in. On a 3-2 count, Reeves smoked a ground ball to Muckdogs shortstop Demetrius Sims. Sims misplayed and bobbled the ball, allowing Freeman to score the winning run from third.
Batavia won a seven-inning Game 2, 2-1. Batavia opened the scoring in the top of the second. Michael Donadio walked and Luke Jarvis singled with one out. Both advanced on a wild pitch from Scrappers starter Zach Draper. Igor Baez brought in Donadio with a sacrifice fly to break the silence.
Batavia scored again in the top of the third on Denis Karas' two-out single. Albert Guaimaro tripled earlier in the inning and scored the run.
Mahoning Valley responded with a run in the bottom of the third. Tyler Freeman singled in Tre Gantt to cut the Muckdogs lead to 2-1, which held for the remainder of the game.
The Scrappers (14-6) welcome the Williamsport Crosscutters (8-12) back to Eastwood Field for a three-game series, beginning on Saturday. Mahoning valley's Juan Mota (1-1, 6.50 ERA) should oppose Williamsport's Manuel Silva (0-1, 1.80 ERA).
The first 1,000 fans through the gates of Eastwood Field on Saturday will receive a Francisco Mejía bobblehead presented by Huntington and 21 WFMJ. Mejia is ranked as the top prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization by MLB Pipeline, and he played for the Scrappers in 2014. For tickets, call or visit the Chevy All Stars Box Office at Eastwood Field at 330-505-0000 or click here.
