Ironbirds roll past Scrappers; Bellows homers

STAFF REPORT

ABERDEEN, Md. — Mahoning Valley third baseman Kyle Bellows hit his team-leading third homer of the season but the Aberdeen offense was too strong Monday night as the Ironbirds pulled away from the Scrappers 9-2 in a New York-Penn League game at Ripken Stadium.

Catcher Juan Aponte added two hits and a walk for the Scrappers (19-12), who were coming off a three-game sweep of Oneonta. But Aponte had two passed balls — both leading to runs — and the Scrappers committed three errors.

Lurvin Basabe had an RBI single. Tim Palincsar singled and scored Mahoning Valley’s other run.

Louisville High graduate Kyle Smith (0-2), who was drafted in the 20th round out of Kent State, made his third professional start and lasted just 21‚Ñ3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out two.

Austin Adams relieved him and surrendered six runs on five hits and two walks.

Tyler Sturdevant and Guido Fonseca combined for three shutout innings of relief.

Richard Oleo went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs for the Ironbirds (11-19).

Mahoning Valley will play two more games in Aberdeen, then travel to Williamsport. Girard High graduate Stephen Procner is a relief pitcher for the Ironbirds. Procner is 0-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 192‚Ñ3 innings.

HOW THEY SCORED

Scrappers 1st — Henry strikes out swinging. Toole strikes out swinging (2-3). Bellows homers to left. Carlson grounds out (4-3). 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Ironbirds 1st — Baxter strikes out looking. Kelly strikes out swinging. Carolus walks. With Oleo batting, Carolus to 2nd on throwing error (E-2). Oleo singles to short, Carolus scores. Dalles singles to left, Oleo to 3rd. Rosa pops out (F-6). 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Scrappers 2nd — Folgia flies out (F-7). Vera grounds out (5-3). Palincsar singles to right. Aponte singles to center, Palincsar to 2nd. Basabe singles to center, Palincsar scores, Aponte to 3rd. Henry grounds out (5-3). 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Ironbirds 2nd — Bumbry triples to center. Mooney sacrifice fly (F-7), Bumbry scores. Rook grounds out (4-3). Baxter reaches on fielding error (E-4). Kelly singles to left, Baxter to 3rd. Carolus flies out (F-8). 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Ironbirds 3rd — Oleo singles to 2nd, advances to 2nd on throwing error (E-4). Dalles pops out (F-4). With Rosa batting, Oleo to 3rd on passed ball. Rosa walks. Bumbry walks, Rosa to 2nd. Pitching change: Adams replaces Smith. Mooney grounds out (G-1), Oleo scores, Rosa to 3rd, Bumbry to 2nd. Rook flies out (F-7). 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Ironbirds 4th — Baxter singles to short. Kelly singles to right, Baxter to 2nd. Carolus sacrifice bunt (1-3), Baxter to 3rd, Kelly to 2nd. Oleo intentionally walks. Dalles singles to left, Baxter scores, Kelly scores, Oleo to 3rd. Rosa grounds into fielder’s choice (5-4), Oleo scores, Dalles out at 2nd, Rosa to 1st. Bumbry strikes out looking. 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Ironbirds 5th — Mooney grounds out (4-3). Rook singles to first. Baxter hit by pitch, Rook to 2nd. With Kelly batting, Rook to 3rd, Baxter to 2nd on passed ball. Kelly walks. Carolus doubles to right, Rook scores, Baxter scores, Kelly to 3rd. Oleo sacrifice fly (F-7), Kelly scores. Dalles grounds out (6-3). 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.