SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK From Eastwood Field

Major League flavor: Cleveland Indians left-hander Brian Tallet will begin a rehabilitation assignment with the Scrappers tonight and is expected to throw one inning. Tallet underwent elbow surgery last August after splitting time between Cleveland and Triple-A Buffalo. Tallet began his pro career in 2000 at Mahoning Valley, where he made six starts and collected a 1.15 ERA. He has appeared in seven games at the major league level.
Major League flavor II: Tallet won't be the only pitcher with big-league experience appearing for the Scrappers this week. Mike Porsio, a former pitcher with the Chicago White Sox, will start Thursday against Auburn. Signed by the Indians as a free agent in the off-season, Porsio was injured in the spring and has been working out at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Buffalo, Scrappers manager Mike Sarbaugh said. "This will be his first real game action of the year," the manager said. "He's going to try to go three innings."
Ouch: Pitchers in the Mahoning Valley-Auburn series haven't been shy about throwing inside. Five batters were hit by pitches in Tuesday's game, four of which came from Scrappers pitchers. Even with all the bean balls, there was little reaction from batters. Auburn's Aaron Mathews slammed his helmet to the ground after being hit near the head by Mark Jecman in the seventh.
Homecoming: Former Mahoning Valley media personality Erik Boland was a guest in the pressbox. A Cleveland native, Boland, 30, is a general assignment sports reporter for Newsday in New York City. He received his master's degree from New York University. While working in the Valley from 1996-2001, Boland broadcast athletic events on WRRO-AM (1440), WANR-AM (1570) and WNIO-AM (1390). He also wrote for the Tribune Chronicle in Warren.
Looking ahead: The Scrappers will continue their four-game homestand against the Doubledays with games through Friday, starting at 7:05 p.m. After Tallet (tonight) and Porsio (Thursday) make scheduled starts for the Scrappers, left-hander Justin Pekarek (0-0, 6.48) will take the mound Friday.
Schedule change: The Scrappers' road game on Sunday against the Jamestown Jammers has been changed to a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 6:05 p.m. The change was made to give both teams an extra day off for the July 4 holiday. That gives both teams four days off this season.
-- Brian Richesson