Scrappers blow 4-1 lead, lose to Tigers in 10th

Staff report

NORWICH, Conn.

Julio Rodriguez’s infield single with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning completed a comeback victory for the Connecticut Tigers, who defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 5-4, in a New York-Penn League baseball game on Tuesday night.

The game, played before just over 900 fans, saw the Scrappers (9-10) jump out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning before the Tigers (11-8) rallied.

Third baseman Giovanny Urshela led the Scrappers with two hits, while center fielder Brian Heere, shortstop Tyler Cannon and catcher Diego Seastrunk all hit doubles.

The Scrappers, though, led 10 runners on base and went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position.

Alexander Nunez went 4 for 5 to lead the Tigers. His infield single with one out in the 10th inning put runners on first and second.

Ryan Soares led off the frame against Mahoning Valley reliever James Ehlert with a single.

After P.J. Polk popped out to third while attempting a sacrifice bunt, Nunez singled, then Matt Perry grounded out, advancing both runners 90 feet.

The Scrappers elected to pitch to Rodriguez, who beat out a grounder to Cannon.

Rodriguez, Soares and first baseman James Robbins all had two hits for Connecticut.

Scrappers starter Owen Dew, who tossed six hitless innings in his last start, went 52/3 innings on Tuesday night, allowing two earned runs on four hits.

Gregorio Rosario followed with 11/3 innings, but he allowed two runs on three hits, including a solo home run by Soares to lead off the Tigers’ eighth inning.

The Scrappers trailed 1-0 early, but scored two runs in the third on back-to-back doubles by Heere (who drove in Seastrunk) and Cannon.

Mahoning Valley scored twice in the fourth inning on Seastrunk’s sacrifice fly and an error.

Scrappers boxscore is on Page B2.