NOTEBOOK Scrappers vs. Muckdogs

How are they doing it? The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are in first place in the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League, but last in the league in team hitting at .204. That average was raised 60 points the last two games. Mahoning Valley pitching has been the real reason, as they are second in the league with a 2.04 ERA.
First pitch: Shepherd of the Valley-Howland resident George Craig got a great early birthday present as he threw out the first pitch before Sunday’s game. Craig will celebrate his 94th birthday on Friday. His pitch was a pretty good one to the Scrappers’ Fernando Pacheco.
Hehr hurt: Scrappers infielder Jeff Hehr, the first-year player from Cardinal Mooney High, hurt his leg running out a single in the ninth inning. Manager Tim Laker said that he didn’t know how serious it was, but it looked like a muscle pull. Hehr had to leave the game.
Beau struggles: Beau Mills, the first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians in this year’s draft, continues to struggle at the plate. Mills, who went into the game batting .176, was 0-for-3 and struck out with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. “He’s putting a whole lot of pressure on himself right now,” said Laker.
Waiting on fireworks: The game ended at 8:40 p.m. and it still wasn’t dark enough for the postgame fireworks display. But fans were patient and waited around nearly a half hour before they started.

Pete Mollica