NOTEBOOK From Cafaro Field
Starting something: Mahoning Valley pitchers Paul Rigdon and Juan Luna combined for good numbers in the starting assignments. They went 11 innings, yielded just one run, six hits and no walks. Rigdon was making his third rehab start after surgery on his right shoulder. He's now allowed four runs in three starts. Lara made his fifth start and was coming off an impressive outing against Jamestown.
It's over: The Scrappers set a dubious team record when they lost the opener of the doubleheader - 11 straight losses. The last time the team lost 10 straight was from July 9-19, 2001.
Looked good: Paul Maholm, the first-round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates (eighth overall) out of Mississippi State, made his pro debut in the opener for the Crosscutters. He threw three innings and gave up three hits and two runs. One mistake he made landed 370-feet away, off the bat of Kevin Kouzmanoff.
Four-for-four: Kouzmanoff had never had a three-hit game before Thursday's 4-for-4 performance. He hit his second homer of the year and drove in a pair.
Mascots: Not only was Scrappy at the game, but Reggy, a visiting 6-foot purple creature joined in the antics. Reggy's most entertaining session came late in the second game when he (she?) danced with the home plate umpire between innings.
No you don't: Williamsport centerfielder Nyjer Morgan entered the twinbill as the reigning NYPL batter of the week. He finished 1-for-6 and was caught stealing in his only attempt. Morgan leads the league with 18 steals.
-- Bill Sullivan