NOTEBOOK Scrappers vs. Ironbirds

On the move: It was only a matter of time before the Scrappers' rehab players started returning to their original teams. Right-handed pitcher Nick Pesco was reassigned Monday with the Akron Aeros. Pesco had a good stay with Mahoning Valley as he was 1-0 in four starts and an ERA of 0.50 allowing just one run in 18 innings and had 13 strikeouts.One run disaster: The Scrappers continue to struggle in one-run games. They fell to 2-5 Sunday with a 4-3 loss to Aberdeen. When the Scrappers score four or more runs they are 9-2 on the season. They have yet to win a game when trailing after six innings or more.Rain, rain go away: Another heavy storm hit Eastwood Field on Monday pelting the playing surface, but the Mahoning Valley grounds crew, led by head groundskeeper Wes Ganobcik, in his first season, did another outstanding job getting the field ready for the game.Bright star: Scrappers' Josh Rodriguez, who joined the team last Saturday, started his third straight game at shortstop Monday. Rodriguez, who was drafted in the second round by the Indians, was originally drafted right out of South Houston High School by the Yankees, but elected to play college baseball. He started for three seasons at Rice University.Game notes: The Scrappers snapped the 10-game hitting streak of Aberdeen's Chris Vinyard Sunday as he went hitless in four trips to the plate. He still leads the league with a .411 average and 20 RBIs and 30 hits. Sunday was the first time this season that he did not reach base. ... Scrappers right-hander Neil Wagner has retired the last 13 batters he has faced in relief duty and struck out 10 of those batters. ... Aberdeen has the New York-Penn League's best record at 14-5, but the Ironbirds are only 6-5 away from Ripken Stadium. The Ironbirds have had only one season in which they finished at least .500 in franchise history (five seasons).Wednesday's starter: Right-hander J.D. Martin will make his fifth start of the season in the series opener Wednesday against the Lowell Spinners in Lowell, Mass. Martin, on rehab assignment from the Akron Aeros has thrown three innings in each of his four previous starts and has not allowed a run in his last 11 innings. He has a 38-20 record in his pro career which began in 2001 when he was the 35th player taken by the Indians.
On the move: It was only a matter of time before the Scrappers' rehab players started returning to their original teams. Right-handed pitcher Nick Pesco was reassigned Monday with the Akron Aeros. Pesco had a good stay with Mahoning Valley as he was 1-0 in four starts and an ERA of 0.50 allowing just one run in 18 innings and had 13 strikeouts.One run disaster: The Scrappers continue to struggle in one-run games. They fell to 2-5 Sunday with a 4-3 loss to Aberdeen. When the Scrappers score four or more runs they are 9-2 on the season. They have yet to win a game when trailing after six innings or more.Rain, rain go away: Another heavy storm hit Eastwood Field on Monday pelting the playing surface, but the Mahoning Valley grounds crew, led by head groundskeeper Wes Ganobcik, in his first season, did another outstanding job getting the field ready for the game.Bright star: Scrappers' Josh Rodriguez, who joined the team last Saturday, started his third straight game at shortstop Monday. Rodriguez, who was drafted in the second round by the Indians, was originally drafted right out of South Houston High School by the Yankees, but elected to play college baseball. He started for three seasons at Rice University.Game notes: The Scrappers snapped the 10-game hitting streak of Aberdeen's Chris Vinyard Sunday as he went hitless in four trips to the plate. He still leads the league with a .411 average and 20 RBIs and 30 hits. Sunday was the first time this season that he did not reach base. ... Scrappers right-hander Neil Wagner has retired the last 13 batters he has faced in relief duty and struck out 10 of those batters. ... Aberdeen has the New York-Penn League's best record at 14-5, but the Ironbirds are only 6-5 away from Ripken Stadium. The Ironbirds have had only one season in which they finished at least .500 in franchise history (five seasons).Wednesday's starter: Right-hander J.D. Martin will make his fifth start of the season in the series opener Wednesday against the Lowell Spinners in Lowell, Mass. Martin, on rehab assignment from the Akron Aeros has thrown three innings in each of his four previous starts and has not allowed a run in his last 11 innings. He has a 38-20 record in his pro career which began in 2001 when he was the 35th player taken by the Indians.