SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK From Eastwood Field

Runner-up: Opening night attendance of 7,274 ranked among the best in Scrappers history. Only one other home game drew more (7,726), and that came on Sept. 2, 1999 against the Batavia Muckdogs.
New talent: Of the 10 players who started Friday's opener, only three came from this month's amateur draft -- left fielder Mike Butia, a fifth-round pick from James Madison; third baseman Chris Gimenez, a 19th-round pick from Nevada; and catcher Wyatt Toregas, a 24th-round selection from Virginia Tech. More draft picks are expected to arrive at Mahoning Valley in the coming weeks. "At this level, people know that's the way it's going to be," said Scrappers manager Mike Sarbaugh of the early roster shifts. "You learn to live with it and make the best of the situation. The guys who are here really help with making [the new] guys feel at home."
Stranded: The Scrappers wasted plenty of opportunities at the outset of Friday's game, leaving seven runners on base in the first three innings. They loaded the bases with two outs in the third, but Jose Cruz flied out to left. Mahoning Valley stranded 10 for the game.
Ouch: Control was a problem for pitchers, most notably for Auburn starter Jeremy Harper, who hit three Scrappers. Mahoning Valley's Chris Gimenez was beaned twice. While at Nevada, Gimenez led the Western Athletic Conference in hit-by-pitches with 26. Mahoning Valley starter Richard De Los Santos also hit one batter.
Familiar face: Ted Kubiak, who managed the Scrappers in three of their six years, including last year, was with the team Friday. When he saw a group of media members walk into the clubhouse after the game, he began joking with Sarbaugh. "Sarbaugh, you must have some magic because I never saw this many [writers] around," Kubiak said. Kubiak is a roving instructor with the Indians this summer.
Scrapper pride: Head groundskeeper Chris Walsh put his own touch on the new sod at Eastwood Field. A giant "MV" was mowed into the center-field grass.
Looking ahead: The Scrappers will continue their home series against Auburn tonight at 7:05 and Sunday at 2:05. Left-hander Dan Cevette is scheduled to pitch tonight for Mahoning Valley. He started last season at Rookie League Burlington and finished the season at Mahoning Valley, where he went 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA in two starts. Right-hander Matt Haynes will take the mound Sunday.
-- Brian Richesson