Scrappers win 3-1, take lead in series

September 9, 2009 at 12:04a.m.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Jason Kipnis hit a solo home run and three Mahoning Valley pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the Scrappers defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones 3-1 in the first game of their divisional series at Coney Island Stadium.

Kipnis also singled for the Scrappers, who finished the regular season with the best record (49-27) in the New York-Penn League and can clinch the best-of-three series at 7:05 tonight at Eastwood Field.

Game 3, if necessary, would be Thursday night at Eastwood Field. The series winner advances to the championship series for the right to hoist the Alice H. Nader Cup. Marty Popham (6-1, 2.76) is scheduled to pitch tonight’s game with Brett Brach (5-2, 2.19) lined up for Game 3.

Jose Vera singled, doubled, scored a run and drove in a run for Mahoning Valley, which took a 3-0 lead. Jesus Brito doubled and scored.

Clayton Cook started and pitched 52‚Ñ3 shutout innings to get the win, giving up two hits, a walk and striking out six.

Antwonie Hubbard tossed 21‚Ñ3 innings of relief, giving up one run on two hits, no walks and four strikeouts.

Cory Burns pitched a scoreless ninth, giving up one hit and striking out a batter, to get the save.

Nicholas Santomauro hit a solo homer for Brooklyn, which earned the wild card after finishing second to Staten Island in the McNamara Division.

The Scrappers are making their fourth playoff appearance since 1999, their inaugural year. They won the Pinckney-Stedler Division in 1999 and 2000, sweeping their first-round playoff series both seasons before falling in the championship round.

Mahoning Valley earned a wild card berth in 2004 and went on to win its only NYPL title.

---

ScrappersBrooklyn

abrhbiabrhbi

Henry cf4000Valdespin 2b4020

Martinez 2b4000Doyle c4000

Kipnis lf4121Honeck 1b4010

Frawley dh4010Rivera rf3000

Brito 3b4110Santomro lf3111

Chen c3000Henriquez dh4010

Vera ss4121Harris pr-dh0000

Aponte 1b3000Lucas 3b3000

Palincsar rf3000Gaski ph1000

Servido cf3000

Shields ss3000

Totals33362Totals32151

Scrappers001100100—3

Brooklyn000000100—1

E—Doyle (1), Honeck (1). LOB—Scrappers 5, Brooklyn 6. 2B—Vera 1), Brito (1). HR—Kipnis (1), Santomauro (1).

IPHRERBBSO

Scrappers

Cook W, 1-05 2-320016

Hubbard2 1-321104

Burns S, 1110001

Brooklyn

Cohoon L, 0-1753208

Gagg210001

HBP—by Burns (Rivera). Umpires—Home, Tim Rosso; First, Jose Rivera; Second, Jose Esteras; Third, Garrett Corl. T—2:27. A—2,649.

HOW THEY SCORED

Scrappers 3rd — Rafael Vera doubles to center field. Juan Aponte hits a sacrifice bunt and reached 2nd on throwing error by catcher, Vera scores. Tim Palincsar strikes out swinging. Jordan Henry flies out to left fielder. Argenis Martinez grounds out to shortstop. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Scrappers 4th — Jason Kipnis homers to right field. Casey Frawley strikes out swinging. Jesus Brito grounds out to shortstop. Chun-Hsiu Chen strikes out swinging. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Scrappers 7th — Brito doubles to center field. Chen hits a sacrifice bunt and reaches 1st on fielding error by first baseman, Brito to 3rd. Vera singles to first baseman Sam Honeck, Brito scores, Chen to 2nd. Aponte bunt pops out to third baseman. Palincsar pops out to shortstop. Henry strikes out swinging. 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Brooklyn 7th — Nicholas Santomauro homers to left field. Ralph Henriquez strikes out swinging, retired catcher to first baseman. Richard Lucas strikes out swinging. John Servidio lines out to first baseman. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.