SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK From Cafaro Field

Mound warrior: Scrappers right-handed pitcher Kyle Evans made his second start as he works his way back from elbow surgery. He also recorded his second straight no-decision Sunday against Batavia.
Evans recognized early he didn't have his best stuff, but he was able to limit the Muckdogs to one run on eight hits through six innings.
"I didn't locate the ball very well early in the game," Evans said. "I knew it was going to be a struggle the rest of the way. I never really got in a groove; I just tried to make adjustments where I could."
Evans may have made his biggest stand in the third inning, when Batavia loaded the bases with two outs. Batter Ryan Barthelemy worked a 3-0 count on Evans.
"I got down 3-0 and threw three fastballs," Evans said. "It was a situation where I had nothing to give, so I had to go right after him."
Evans fought back to strike out Barthelemy.
"Every pitcher has to pitch himself out of at least two jams in the course of a game," Scrappers manager Chris Bando said. "Kyle kept his composure and made his pitches. That's what he has to do to be successful, and he did that."
Evans said, "I was very fortunate today. I didn't have great stuff, but the guys made a lot of plays behind me. I got lucky a couple of times, but it ended up all right today."
Speaking of pitchers: Batavia starter Erick Arteaga benefits from being 6 feet, 7 inches, Bando said. "He has a good downhill plane, and it reduces the margin of error," Bando said. "That's what makes him even more effective." Before pitching against the Scrappers, Arteaga made one other start, allowing just two hits in seven innings. He got a no-decision against the Scrappers, working 7 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.
Offensive woes: Going into Sunday's game, two Scrappers in the starting lineup were still in search of their first hit of the season -- first-year player Shaun Larkin and Mike Conroy, who was with Burlington last season. Larkin got his first hit and is now 1-for-18. Conroy went 0-for-4 against Batavia and dropped to 0-for-17.
Mingling with the crowd: Batavia third baseman Terry Jones made two consecutive catches in which he extended into the crowd along the third-base line to record outs. The catches bridged the third and fourth innings on Andrew Baxter and Bill Peavey, respectively.
Reaction: Baseball continues to mourn the passing of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile, who was found dead in his hotel room Saturday in Chicago at age 33. "It saddens you, obviously. You grieve for his family," Bando said. "It goes to show you the gravity of life. It doesn't matter how old you are, you're one breath away from eternity."
Who let the dogs out? The Scrappers celebrated Scrappy's family reunion Sunday, with fans being asked to bring their pets. Before the game, fans paraded their dogs around the field. Following the procession were two people -- carrying shovels and a bucket.
Schedule: The Scrappers begin a two-game home series tonight against the Auburn Doubledays, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Victor Kleine is scheduled to take the mound against the Doubledays' Ismael Ramirez. Blake Allen goes Tuesday against Ryan Houston. Game time each day is 7 p.m.
-- Brian Richesson