SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK | From Troy, N.Y.

Team support: Members of the Scrappers' front office made the seven-hour drive to Tri-City. Included in the caravan was general manager Dave Smith, director of marketing and promotions Jim Riley, director of business development Joe Gregory, director of stadium operations Chris Walsh, director of client services Mike Brent, box office manager Heather Safarek, group sales representative Mike Link and interns Matt Thompson and Andrea Zagger. Also in the crowd at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium was New York-Penn League president Ben Hayes.
House of blues: The Tri-City ValleyCats weren't used to losing at home. Since losing to Vermont on Aug. 15, the ValleyCats had won 13 straight games at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Mahoning Valley ended that streak in championship fashion Monday night.
Manager's development: Scrappers manager Mike Sarbaugh won his second consecutive league championship. He was a hitting coach with the Akron Aeros last season when they won the Eastern League title. "Winning the Eastern League with [manager] Brad [Komminsk] last year and having this experience, you can't ask for too much more," Sarbaugh said. "For myself, from a managing standpoint, to be in these tight games toward the end of the season and playoffs can really help me down the road too."
-- Brian Richesson