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Perez breaks through; Scrappers stay perfect
Photo
Jason Smit (6) of the Scrappers beats the throw as Kyle Morgan is pulled off the bag during the game Monday, June 22, 2009.
The rookie catcher got his first hit
By John Kovach
Vindicator sports staff
NILES — Rookie catcher Roberto Perez of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers is trying to follow in the legendary footsteps of fellow Puerto Rican native Roberto Clemente, the former Pittsburgh Pirates’ star and Hall of Fame member.
Perez, a third round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians last year but in his first season as a professional player, got off to a good start Tuesday night in the direction of the famed Clemente, who was killed in a 1972 New Year’s Eve airplane crash trying to help Nicaraguan earthquake victims.
“He’s a legend back home. He was my idol. He was a good player and a good man who tried to help people,” said Perez, 20, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, who got a big double — his first hit as a professional — in the sixth inning to help the Scrappers (5-0) rally from a 1-0 deficit to a 2-1 win over the State College Spikes at Eastwood Field before 4,682 fans.
“That was my first hit as a pro,” he said. “It was a 3-2 count and I was looking for a fastball and got it. I needed that hit so that I could rebuild my confidence. I needed it for myself. I was getting frustrated.”
Perez’s double on a long two-out drive to right-center drove in Jason Smit from second base to tie the game at 1-1. Smit reached base when he was hit by a pitch to open the inning, and later stole second to get into scoring position.
Perez then scored the go-ahead and eventually winning run on an error when Jordan Henry’s ground ball was misplayed by the Spikes’ third baseman. Henry stole second but then Lurvin Basabe grounded out to end the rally.
Scrappers’ reliever Nick Kirk, who replaced starter Marty Popham in the sixth inning, got the win for a 2-0 mark. Poppham gave up six hits, Kirk one, and each had four strikeouts. Cory Burns pitched the last inning for the Scrappers and struck out the side, including Justin Byler of Howland and Warren Harding High, to get the save.
The Scrappers, in first place in the New York-Penn League’s Pinckney Division, and the Spikes (1-4) will meet again tonight at 7:05 at Eastwood Field before the locals embark on a six-game road trip.
Spikers’ starter Michael Felix was relieved by Marc Baca in the fifth. Baca gave up both Scrappers’ runs and took the loss (0-1).
The Spikes scored first in the top of the third inning when Andy Vasquez singled, was forced out at second base on Tony Sanchez’ grounder while Sanchez advanced to second base on the play on a throwing error to first base, and then came home on Kyle Morgan’s triple.
Sanchez had two singles.
Kyle Bellows had two singles for the Scrappers, who were held to five hits while State College had seven.
“This is our best start in my two years as manager,” said Scrappers’ skipper Travis Fryman, who lauded Perez and his three pitchers, and Henry’s gound ball to the third baseman that scored the game-winner on an error.
“We love Roberto around here. He is a good young catcher,” said Fryman, also noting that Henry’s ground ball was key. “Henry put the ball in play. It was close to being a hit.”
Fryman also said that Burns, who has a Luis Tiant-style delivery with his backward-hesitation before releasing the ball, was very dominating striking out the side at the end.
“His Tiant-style delivery can disrupt batters and mess with their timing,” he said. “It can be effective. He has had success in the past with it.”
Up next: Mahoning Valley and the State College Spikes will return to Eastwood Field tonight for a rematch at 7:05 before the Scrappers embark on a six-day road trip beginning Thursday Night at Williamsport. They will play three straight games with the Crosscutters and then three more night contests at State College starting on Sunday, before returning home for a three-game series against Williamsport beginning July 1.
Don’t go home hungry: For $12 in addition to a game ticket to tonight’s Scrappers-Spikes’ game, fans will receive an all-you-can-eat picnic buffet consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, baked beans, pasta salad, and non-alcoholic beverages as well as a new limited edition Scrappers hat.
Liposuction treatment: The Scrappers and Valley Surgical Arts will be giving away a liposuction treatment to one lucky lady during the July 8 Scrappers game against the Auburn Doubledays. Fans can register for the promotion by stopping by the Anthem Fan Assistance Center and filling out an entry form. The Scrappers will select five finalists that will be invited to the July 8 Ladies Night Celebration, sponsored by the Valley Surgical Arts. During the game, the five finalists will be invited down to the field where the Scrappers will announce the grand prize winner. For more information on what Valley Surgical Arts can do for you, contact Dr. David Thomas and the staff at 813 Kentwood Drive in Boardman or give him a call at 330-953-0781.
Baseball camp: The Scrappers’ baseball camp is set to return to Eastwood Field from July 20-22. Coaches from Youngstown State will be back in charge. The camp is designed to introduce all campers to the aspects and fundamentals of baseball, and will cover the areas of fielding, throwing, hitting, base running, and pitching. Anyone between the ages of 6 and 13 are invited to participate. All campers will be separated into proper age groups. During the hitting and pitching sessions all campers will be videotaped the first and final days of the camp.
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State CollegeScrappers
abrhbiabrhbi
Holt 2b4010Basabe 2b3010
Vasquez ss3010Greenwell lf2000
Sanchez c 4120Bellows 3b4020
Morgan 1b4011Allman rf4010
Rubinstein rf4000Smit 1b3100
Irvine dh4000Chen dh4000
Rosero dh3000Smith ss4000
Byler ph-dh1000Perez c3111
Pedron 3b3010Henry cf3000
Parry ph1000
Garcia3010
Totals34171Totals30251
State College001000000—1
Scrappers00000200x—2
E—Felix (1), Pedron 2 (3), Sanchez (1), Basabe (5). PB—Sanchez (2). DP—Scrappers 1. LOB—State College 7, Scrappers 8. 2B—Perez (1). 3B—Morgan (1). SB—Smit (1). CS—Chen (1), Basabe (1).
IPHRERBBSO
State College
Felix430012
Baca L, 0-1222111
Williams200003
Scrappers
Popham561114
Kirk, W 2-0310004
Burns S, 1100003
HBP—by Felix (Basabe). Umpires—Home, Jose Esteras; First, Derek Mollica. T—2:35. A—4,682.
kovach@vindy.com