EASTWOOD FIELD Scrappers regroup to overcome Expos

After a day off, the Scrappers rallied from a 2-0 deficit for a 6-2 win.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers took advantage of a much needed day off Sunday to regroup and came out sharper in a 6-2 victory over Vermont Monday at Eastwood Field.
After splitting a doubleheader Saturday against Jamestown, the Scrappers' first day off couldn't have come at a better time according to manager Mike Sarbaugh.
"The off day was nice especially after the stretch we just went through," Sarbaugh said. "It helped us regroup and come out fresh."
The Scrappers (7-11) came back from a 2-0 deficit in the second inning by scoring three runs on four straight hits in the bottom of the inning and were never threatened by the Expos after that.
Reliever Dan Cevette took over for starter Mike Porzio, a former Chicago White Sox pitcher who is on a rehab assignment, to start the fourth inning.
Cevette gets win
Cevette (2-0), normally a starter, worked 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief to pick up the win.
"Cevette continues to perform well every time we put him out there," Sarbaugh said. "Today he kept us in the ball game."
Porzio gave up two runs on four hits in three innings in his second start with Mahoning Valley.
The Scrappers rebounded by opening the bottom of the second with back-to-back singles by center fielder Tim Montgomery and catcher Wyatt Toregas. First baseman Mario Matulich drilled the first of his two doubles to right field to drive in the first run and then shortstop Brian Finegan hit a double to left that drove in two more runs for a 3-2 lead.
"This was the first time all year that we were able to string together some hits," Sarbaugh said. "We've been getting a lot of knocks but we haven't been able to put them together in one inning."
Finegan's third RBI
The Scrappers got another run in the sixth inning after Toregas doubled and Finegan brought him home with a single for his third RBI.
Mahoning Valley got two final runs in the seventh when leadoff batter Argenis Reyes reached first on a wild pitch after striking out.
After stealing second base Reyes came home on a double by third baseman Marshall Szabo. Szabo later scored on a fielder's choice by Tim Montgomery.
Mark Harris came on in relief in the ninth inning after Cevette gave up a single and a walk with one out and ended the threat with a line-out and groundout.
"If we can win a couple of games in a row, the guys will get their confidence," Sarbaugh said.
Szabo finished with three hits while Finegan, Toregas and Matulich had two hits apiece for the Scrappers.
Area native, Gus Hlebovy, of Campbell is a member of the Expos' bullpen but did not appear in the game.