SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK From Cafaro Field

Honor: First baseman Rickie Morton was named the New York-Penn League's Batter of the Week for the week of Aug. 27 through Sept. 2. In six games, Morton went 9-for-17 (.529 average), with two home runs, two doubles and five RBIs. Morton, a Citrus Heights, Calif., resident, also scored five runs and stole a base. Batavia's Il Kim was named the Pitcher of the Week. Il pitched a complete-game four-hit shutout, with seven strikeouts.
Speaking of Morton: The first baseman thrilled fans with his third-inning triple to the right center field gap. The throw to third base beat Morton, but he slid around the tag of third baseman Matt Williams. "It was a good slide," manager Dave Turgeon said, "but it was an especially good play with one out. Two outs, it's a bad running play, but I told him that with one out, that's an outstanding play."
Angel behind the plate: Catcher Angel Bastardo is getting back into his groove following an injured hamstring. He showed that with a 3-for-4 game, with two doubles and two RBIs, against the Cardinals. "He was swinging the bat well before he pulled his hamstring," Turgeon said. "Finally, he got his timing back a little bit, his approach came back. He's been swinging the bat well the last three or four games." Bastardo said, "I missed 22 games, so it was hard for me to come back and start hitting again. It's a shame we're at the end of the season and I'm starting to hit the ball."
Offensive statement: For an offense that ranked 13th of 14 teams entering play Tuesday, the Scrappers looked pretty good. They had six hits for extra bases -- the triple by Morton, two doubles by Bastardo and doubles by Keith Lillash, Brian Kirby and Chad Peshke. "I think it shows for these guys that some things have clicked for them," Turgeon said. "We should have had seven -- that guy [New Jersey left fielder Jordan Robison] made a great play on Morton in the gap [in the fifth inning]. I was shocked he caught the ball."
Promotions: Four Scrappers recently spent time at Double-A Akron -- pitcher Luke Field, Doug Lantz and Chris Cooper and outfielder Dennis Malave. Pitcher Victor Kleine has been promoted to the full-season Class-A Columbus (Ga.) RedStixx, managed by former Scrappers manager Ted Kubiak.
Injury update: Todd Pennington was placed on the disabled list with a hernia. Cooper has filled his roster spot.
Incoming: The Golden Knights of the United States Army parachuted into Cafaro Field prior to the game.
Fan appreciation night: The Scrappers' third season in the Mahoning Valley ends tonight with a fireworks show.
Elsewhere in the New York-Penn League: Former Southington High standout Chad Petty is scheduled to start for Oneonta tonight in its home game against Hudson Valley.
-- Brian Richesson