Notebook - Scrappers vs. Ironbirds

Big night at the ballpark: The Scrappers drew 6,920 fans for Thursday’s doubleheader — the fourth-highest attendance in Eastwood Field history. The record is 7,726, set on Sept. 2, 1999 against Batavia, followed by 7,274 (June 18, 2004 vs. Auburn) and 7,008 (July 22, 2007 vs. Oneonta). The Scrappers had walk-up sales of nearly 3,000, due to a combination of Buck Night ($1 tickets, drinks and hot dogs) and the return of Girard High graduate Stephen Procner.

Velasquez suspended: Scrappers infielder Isaias Velasquez was suspended for three games for his role in sparking a bench-clearing incident July 10 against Vermont. Velasquez was originally in Thursday’s lineup, but was scratched when the ruling came down. He is batting .300 this season (third-best on the team) with team-highs in hits (39, which is third-best in the New York-Penn League), runs (19) and doubles (8). Velasquez was ejected after confronting Vermont baserunner Derek Norris, who slid hard into second base to break up a double play. Later that inning, Scrappers pitcher Mark Rodriguez was ejected after hitting a Lake Monsters batter, which resulted in an automatic ejection for Mahoning Valley manager Travis Fryman — the first of his career.

Attention-getter: Playboy Special Edition model Lisa Neeld of Cortland was on hand Thursday to sign autographs, pose for pictures and throw out the first pitch. Neeld, a former track standout for Mineral Ridge High, wasn’t just a hit with the fans. Players on both teams seemed to pay closer attention than usual to the first-pitch ceremony. Coincidentally, Neeld’s appearance came one night before the Veggie Tales come for Faith Night, so there’s a promotion for everyone at Eastwood Field this summer.

Scrapper notes: Robert Alcombrack went 3-for-4 Wednesday night to raise his average to .311, which was best on the team entering Thursday’s action. Brock Simpson was second with a .309 mark. ... Juan Valdes has not committed an error this season in 32 games played.

Joe Scalzo