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Muckdogs take series finale, 5-2
By jon moffett
NILES
Jacob Lee did his best bartender impression to make his visiting opponents feel more comfortable.
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ starting pitcher served up a shot here, a Jack there and before he knew it, it was closing time.
But it was the Scrappers who were stuck with the tab and the walk of shame back to the dugout. The Batavia Muckdogs just had a good buzz going.
It was like one of those cliched “a rabbi walks into a bar” jokes at Eastwood Field on Wednesday night — you hear it all the time, but it doesn’t get better.
Instead it was more of the same for Mahoning Valley, which dropped a sobering 5-2 contest to Batavia. And while Lee (4-2) and the rest of the Scrappers’ pitchers managed to keep the ball in the yard, the Muckdogs (40-29) took advantage of everything being served.
“It was definitely my worst start of the summer,” Lee said. “It was tough, this being maybe my last start in the Mahoning Valley. But it will give me something to work on for the rest of the week.”
The tone was set during the first at-bat. Batavia center fielder Steve Ramos drilled the second pitch of the game to deep to right field and slid into third base easily. Ramos scored moments later on a single up the middle by Breyvic Valera. The Muckdogs added another two runs in the first inning and two in the third.
After that, the Scrappers (29-39) just seemed flat.
A mini-rally came in the third inning with Mahoning Valley trailing, 5-0. Right fielder Erik Gonzalez reached first when Muckdogs third baseman Patrick Wisdom couldn’t execute a throw to first. A Joe Wendle single and Dorssys Paulino walk loaded the bases for third baseman Joe Sever.
Sever singled up the middle to plate Gonzalez and Wendle.
Wendle, who has been a bright spot all season for the Scrappers, said the current losing streak isn’t due to fatigue or the team calling for their check.
“We’re struggling right now, and we’ve been floundering here a little bit,” Wendle said. “But we’re still going to come out to the ballpark every night and work hard.”
Wendle disputed the notion that some players at this level seem to lose their focus because they’re out of the playoff race and can see the end of the season. Wendle said all professional athletes do the exact opposite.
“Actually, because we’re younger, everybody is still trying to prove themselves by playing as best as they can individually, and also collectively,” he said. “We still want to come in here and win every game. There is no letdown in the clubhouse.
“Everybody is frustrated because we’re not hitting or whatever, but we’re still going to work hard and try to win.”
The Scrappers will open their final home series of the season tonight. The first pitch against the Auburn Doubledays is slated for 7:05 p.m.