Doubledays pound Scrappers

Staff report

AUBURN, N.Y.

After a wild first outing, Auburn pitcher Wirkin Estevez was too much for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday.

Estevez limited the Scrappers to one hit and no runs over the five innings he pitched in a 7-2 victory.

Estevez (1-1) earned the victory. He struck out five batters and walked one to lower his earned-run average to 6.23.

The Scrappers were shut out until their final at-bat. In all, the Scrappers had four hits compared to 11 for the red-hot Doubledays.

Harold Guerrero took the loss for the Scrappers (4-3), giving up three runs (two earned) in the four and two-thirds innings he pitched before being relieved by Anthony Dischler.

The first-place Doubledays (6-1) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning after a throwing error by shortstop Tony Wolters. Connor Rowe’s single scored Matthew Skole for a 1-0 lead.

The Doubledays added three runs with a two-out rally in the fifth inning. After Justin Miller singled, Seth Bynum walked, sending Guerrero to the showers.

Hendry Jimenez clubbed a three-run homer off Dischler for Auburn’s 4-0 lead.

The Doubledays added a run in the sixth inning on Miller’s RBI single and two in the seventh for a seven-run advantage. Miguel Perez and Skole contributed RBI singles in the seventh inning.

Back-to-back triples helped produce the Scrappers’ runs in the ninth inning. Wolters’ one-out triple started the rally and he scored on Bryson Myles’ triple.

With two outs, Jordan Smith singled to score Myles. Closer Aaron Barnett retired Aaron Siliga on a flyball to end the game.

The Scrappers and Doubledays will continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m. After Saturday’s game, the Scrappers will return home to face the State College Spikes on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at Eastwood Field in Niles.