SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK | From Cafaro Field

The race is on: A postseason berth isn't out of the question for Mahoning Valley, which has won seven of its last nine games. The Scrappers are seven games out of the wild-card spot, held by the Williamsport Crosscutters (33-21), with 22 to play. Trouble is, the Scrappers (26-28) would have to overcome four teams ahead of them in the race -- Lowell, Tri-City, Hudson Valley and Aberdeen. "You never know, especially if we keep playing the way we're playing," said manager Ted Kubiak, whose team will face New Jersey (20-33), Tri-City (30-23) and Batavia (22-32) in the next eight days. "We're playing clubs we should be able to handle." If not for the Scrappers' 11-game losing streak earlier this season, they would be in the thick of the playoff race, instead of peering in from the outside. "We started the season off pretty hot and then we went through a skid. Every team goes through a skid," outfielder Mike Conroy said. "It's just a matter of time before you get out of it."
Starter's effort: Lost in the late-game dramatics was the pitching performance of Scrappers starter T.J. Burton, who took a one-hitter into the fifth inning. The emotional Canadian, however, was touched up for two runs in that inning and appeared to lose some of his focus. Burton (3-1), who had won his three previous starts, allowed the two earned runs on four hits while striking out four and walking three. "T.J. pitched very well. I hope he thinks that was a quality start, because it was," Kubiak said. "He got into the fifth and started rushing. He worked faster, started getting upset and he got the ball up [in the zone]."
Reliever's streak: Matt Davis, the former Poland High athlete, had retired 11 straight batters spanning his last two appearances. The streak was broken Monday when Staten Island's John Urick singled in the sixth inning. Davis allowed just one hit in two innings to earn the win, evening his record at 3-3 this season.
Fire! Early in the game, three torches were erected in the Scrappers bullpen in right field. Clubhouse manager George Brown said he lit the torches for fun.
Win two tickets: Greg Gania, who broadcasts Scrappers games for WNIO-AM (1390), wants fans to submit questions for the Ted Kubiak pregame show. If fans' questions are selected and read on the air, they will win two free tickets to an upcoming Scrappers game. To submit questions, e-mail Gania at ggania@mvscrappers.com.
Upcoming schedule: The Scrappers embark on an eight-game road trip beginning tonight in New Jersey. They won't return to Cafaro Field until Aug. 21 to face the McNamara Division-leading Brooklyn Cyclones, a New York Mets affiliate. Taking the mound tonight for the Scrappers will be Joe Weaver (0-0, 5.28 ERA).
Royal treatment: The Scrappers had good reason to look forward to three games in New Jersey. It's the home state of catcher Josh Noviskey, who was planning to hold a picnic for his teammates and coaches. "There'll probably be some Polish sausage," said Kubiak, who then paused, upset with himself, and directed his attention to coach Jim Rickon. "Jimmy! The pierogis! I forgot to ask him [Noviskey]. He asked what we wanted, and I forgot about the pierogis."
-- Brian Richesson