MV gets just one base hit in defeat

Staff report

BATAVIA, N.Y.

One by one, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers came to bat on Wednesday night.

One by one, they made outs.

Twenty-five up. Twenty-five down.

An almost unheard-of perfect game in minor-league baseball.

But, with one out in the ninth inning, Scrappers catcher Moises Montero delivered — a line drive single to center field off Batavia Muckdogs relief pitcher Jose Rada.

Alas, the next two batters made outs — Brian Heere struck out and Jordan Casas flied out to left — ending the game, a 3-0 loss by the Scrappers (6-7).

Batavia (7-6) got all the runs it needed in the first inning on a RBI double by Luis De La Cruz and a sacrifice fly by Yunier Castillo.

The Muckdogs added their third run in the fifth inning on De La Cruz’s first homer of the season to lead off the frame.

Meanwhile, Batavia starter Andrew Moss was unhittable — literally. He struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 1.69 this season.

The Scrappers hit only four balls out of the infield against Moss, who ended his night by striking out the side in the seventh.

Scrappers starter Alex Kaminsky (2-1) took the loss but pitched well. He went five innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. Kaminsky struck out six and walked only one.

Casey Gaynor followed with three innings of shutout relief, allowing only one base runner on a single.

The Scrappers return home for a three-game series starting tonight against Jamestown.