Muckdogs shut out Scrappers

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

BATAVIA, N.Y. — The Batavia Muckdogs created some two-out lightning to defeat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 2-0, Monday in New York-Penn League Class A action.

Luis De La Cruz’s two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning broke up a scoreless tie.

Scrappers reliever Jeremy Johnson (1-1) took over for Clayton Cook in the top of the seventh and retired the first two batters he faced.

Ryde Rodriguez singled to left field then took third base when Niko Vasquez doubled to right field. Both scored on De La Cruz’s hit.

The Scrappers (22-16) wasted a strong outing by Cook, who allowed just two hits over six innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Cook retired the first four batters he faced before Rodriguez singled. Vasquez hit a ground ball to third baseman Kyle Bellows that resulted in a double play.

Cook pitched out of a fourth-inning jam that began when Alan Ahmady walked and Xavier Scruggs singled with two outs. Rodriguez grounded out to finish the inning.

The Scrappers threatened early when Kyle Smith singled and Chun-Hsiu Chen drew a two-out walk off Justin Edwards. Bellows’ flyout ended the threat.

In the third inning, the Scrappers again stranded two baserunners after Smith and Jason Smit singled with two outs. Chen’s groundout ended the inning.

In the seventh inning, Bellows and Casey Frawley reached base but were stranded.

Folgia led off the ninth inning with a double, but two strikeouts and a flyout ended the game.

The Scrappers remain atop the Pinckney Division standings and continue their four-game road trip in New York today with an 11 a.m. game against the Muckdogs. The Scrappers play the Doubledays at Auburn on Wednesday and Thursday before returning home on Friday to open a four-game homestand against the Muckdogs (20-18).

HOW THEY SCORED

Batavia 7th — Jeremy Johnson replaces Clayton Cook on mound. Alan Ahmady flies out to left fielder Greg Folgia. Xavier Scruggs lines out to shortstop Kyle Smith. Ryde Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to left field. Niko Vasquez doubles to right field, Rodriguez to 3rd. Luis De La Cruz singles to center field, Rodriguez and Vasquez score.

With Jairo Martinez batting, De La Cruz steals 2nd base. Martinez pops out to second baseman Casey Frawley. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.