SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK From Eastwood Field

Out of synch: Saying Scrappers right-hander Hector Santana had a rough outing Sunday would be an understatement. Pitching in relief of starter Chris Niesel, Santana threw 10 straight balls and walked the only three batters he faced in the sixth inning. Of the 13 pitches he threw, 12 were balls. "He had to go away from the club for a couple of days for personal reasons," Scrappers manager Mike Sarbaugh explained. "This was the first day he's pitched in probably a week. You can expect that [rustiness] sometimes. Hopefully he'll get back to where he was before he left."
Manager's decision: After Marshall Szabo tripled to right field in the third inning, Sarbaugh elected to have Brett Parker pinch run. Szabo apparently tweaked a hamstring going into third base, prompting the substitution. "I just didn't want to take any chances," Sarbaugh said. "I don't think it's anything serious." Szabo had stolen three bases Saturday against Batavia.
Not shying away: The Scrappers remained aggressive on the basepaths. Argenis Reyes stole two bases and Chris Clem had one. "We're trying to stress that when we do get a lead, try to put even more pressure on the opposition and force them into making mistakes," Sarbaugh said. "If you get thrown out, that's OK. If you keep being aggressive, good things will happen."
First-inning woes: Much of the Scrappers' struggles this season has been due in part to their first-inning inefficiencies. In the first frame, opponents have outscored Mahoning Valley 20-3. Sunday, however, the Scrappers came away unscathed.
Special pitch: Mallary Maus of Youngstown threw out the first pitch at Sunday's game. The 17-year-old is one of eight young people between the ages of 11-17 in the United States who is waiting for a pancreas transplant. She wanted to help increase public awareness of the condition.
On the tube: In the Scrappers' clubhouse after the game, players gathered around the television to watch the Futures Game -- a showcase of baseball's best young talent. The United States beat the World team 4-3. Representing the Indians was designated hitter Michael Aubrey, who struck out in his only at-bat. The infielder is assigned to Double-A Akron.
Scholarship winners: The Mahoning Valley Professional Baseball Association awarded scholarships for $1,000 each to Chad Baker (Canfield High), Joshua Shaffer (LaBrae), Tara Morgan (Girard) and Bridget Van Huffel (Warren John F. Kennedy). The area prep baseball and softball standouts were honored before Sunday's game. Nominees were selected by their high school coaches, guidance counselors and/or principals.
Looking ahead: The Scrappers will play the next three games at Jamestown and won't return home until Thursday for a two-game set against the Jammers. Ryan Knippschild (0-0, 4.00 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound tonight for Mahoning Valley.
-- Brian Richesson