Smith, Wolters guide Scrappers

Staff report

Troy, N.Y.

Jordan Smith had three hits and Tony Wolters scored three runs as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers survived a scare to win their series finale against the Tri-City ValleyCats 6-5 in a New York-Penn League game on Thursday.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI for Mahoning Valley (31-22), which stayed one game behind Auburn in the Pinckney Division standings of the New York-Penn League.

The Scrappers lead Williamsport by a half-game in the wild card standings.

Wolters was 2-for-4 with a double and a walk and Jake Lowery had two doubles and two RBIs. Cody Elliott doubled and also drove in two runs.

Trailing 6-4 entering the bottom of the ninth, Tri-City pulled within one on a walk by Rafael Valenzuela, a passed ball and a single by Matthew Duffy. After YSU graduate Jacke Healey replaced Duffy as a pinch-runner, Miles Hamblin lined out to center field.

Scrappers pitcher Rob Nixon started and gave up four runs (all earned) in six hits in four innings to get the win. He struck out three and walked one.

Jack Wagoner and Drew Rucinski combined for two innings of shutout relief and Enosil Tejeda pitched the ninth for his ninth save.

The Scrappers return home for a three-game series against Brooklyn starting tonight at Eastwood Field. They then get two days off for the All-Star break.