[Empty Body]
Aberdeen, MD- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers watched as a 5-1 lead disappeared on Tuesday night at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Ironbirds erased a four run deficit with six runs in the fifth and six innings before the Scrappers rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning and held on for an 8-7 win.
Tyler Friis got the scoring started for the Scrappers in the top of the second inning. Friis connected on a two out, three run homerun for the early 3-0 lead. It was Friis' first professional homerun.
After the Ironbird answered with a run in the bottom of the third inning, Mahoning Valley would add another run in the top of the fourth inning. The Scrappers took advantage of an Aberdeen error to push the lead out to 5-1.
In the fifth and sixth innings the Ironbirds would capitalize on some sloppy defense and wild pitches to score six runs and take a 7-5 lead.
In the top of the ninth inning Ernie Clement and Nolan Jones both singled to start the inning. Oscar Gonzalez followed with a double to score Clement. With one out, Ulysses Cantu drove home Jones to tie the game with an RBI sacrifice fly. With two outs, Will Benson singled to drive home Gonzalez with the eventual game winning run.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Ironbirds would load the bases with just one out. Jonathan Teaney would get a force out at the plate for the second out and then struck out Tristan Graham with the bases still loaded to end the game.
Clement singled on the first pitch of the game to extend his hitting streak to 20 straight game.
Francisco Perez started and took a no decision in 4.1 innings of work. He allowed one earned run on three hits. Perez walked six and struck out four. Domingo Jimenez then worked 0.2 of an inning in relief. Jimenez allowed three runs, two earned, on one hit. He walked three. Kyle Nelson worked 2.0 innings in relief. Nelson allowed three earned runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out one. Randy Valladares (2-1) picked up the win with one inning of relief. He walked one and struck out one without allowing a hit. Teaney (3) earned the save in one inning of work. Teaney walked two and struck out one.
The Scrappers now will go for their tenth series win of the season on Wednesday night in Aberdeen. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with Grant Hockin slated to start. The Scrappers return home on Friday night to host the Staten Island Yankees on another Fireworks Friday Night. Call the Scrappers box office at 330-505-0000 to get your tickets or get them online at www.mvscrappers.com.
