Scrappers, Jamestown split in doubleheader

Mahoning Valley won the opening game, 2-0, but fell in eight innings in the nightcap, 4-3, against its Pinckney Division rival.

EASTWOOD FIELD

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NILES – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers inched closer to the club record for wins in a season by winning the opening game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against Jamestown 2-0, before losing the nightcap, 4-3 at Eastwood Field.

The Scrappers can tie the single-season victory mark — 48 — tonight with a twinbill sweep of the Jammers.

In the opener, Mahoning Valley scored both its runs with two outs and All-Star pitcher Clayton Cook (5-3) scattered four hits over five innings to spark a 2-0 victory.

Cook got off to a rocky start, loading the bases with one out in the top of the first via two singles and a walk. But Jamestown’s Dustin Dickerson lined into a 1-3 double play to end the threat.

“Clayton wasn’t really sharp tonight, but he got out of that jam in the first and kept us in the game as best he could,” said Scrappers manager Travis Fryman. “Fortunately, we got some timely hits there and scored a few runs.”

Mahoning Valley took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third with two outs. Tim Palincsar started the frame with a double in the gap to right center. After a pair of fly outs, left fielder Jason Kipnis connected for a RBI single to score Palincsar.

Cook settled in after the first inning, retiring 11 of the next 12 hitters to preserve Mahoning Valley’s 1-0 advantage. He was relieved after five innings by lefty Matt Packer.

The Scrappers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, again scoring with two outs. Jesus Brito ripped a double and Ben Carlson followed with a RBI triple down the left field line to pad the lead to 2-0.

In the nightcap, the Scrappers committed two errors and struck out 10 times.

“[Jose] Urena gave us a good spot start there, but we had some interesting plays there in the one inning,” said Fryman. “But we battled back and gave ourselves a chance to win, just like we have all year.

“From the players’ perspective, you play to win every game. I’ll try to rest guys when I can, but I only have three extra guys here. It would be nice to get the overall best record as a reward for all the hard work these guys have put in – kind of a fruit of their labor type deal.”