SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK | From Cafaro Field

New role: Coach Willie Aviles, acting manager Tuesday while Chris Bando helped with instruction at Double-A Akron, downplayed his new role. "I just manage the way Chris Bando would manage," Aviles said. "I know if we were losing 11-2, I know he would take out the starters, give some guys some rest and give some other guys some playing time. I did the same thing." When the Scrappers fell behind against Jamestown, Aviles went to his bench and substituted Andrew Baxter as the designated hitter, Bryce Uegawachi at second base and Neil Simoneaux in right field. "I didn't do anything special. I didn't have the opportunity to, since we fell behind early," Aviles said. "But I wouldn't have done anything that Chris wouldn't have done." Bando, a former catcher with the Cleveland Indians, was at Akron to instruct catching prospect Victor Martinez, a former Scrapper.
Auburn's effect: Aviles rejected the idea that the Scrappers were reeling after losing two games to the Auburn Doubledays. Auburn, the New York-Penn League's Pinckney Division leader, padded its first-place positioning by beating the Scrappers 1-0 and 10-1 Sunday and Monday. "The guys know we lost two against Auburn and those were big losses, but it's a new series," Aviles said. "That's why baseball is a game played every day."
Speaking of Auburn: The Doubledays increased their division lead over the Scrappers to five games. Auburn beat Batavia 7-3 Tuesday. The Scrappers also fell two games back in the wild-card race for the fourth and final playoff spot as Williamsport beat New Jersey 5-3. The three division winners and the wild-card team advance to the postseason.
Baby on board: Matt Duncan, director of stadium operations for the Scrappers, and his wife, Jamie, celebrated the birth of their first child Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Halley Elizabeth Duncan was born 7 pounds, 5 ounces, 20 inches long. The Duncans reside in Niles.
Paying a visit: At Cafaro Field on Tuesday was Bill Needle of Fox Sports Net. Needle was in town to film a piece for "Tribe Time," which airs prior to Cleveland Indians games. Fox interviewed a number of Scrappers for the piece that will air on a date to be announced.
Up next: Right-hander Michael Rogers (5-3, 3.17 ERA) will start on the mound tonight for the Scrappers, while lefty Victor Kleine (6-2, 3.78) gets the call Thursday. Tonight's anticipated promotion is Jim Traficant Night. A number of statewide and national media members are expected to be in attendance.