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Scrappers drop storm-delayed contest
Photo
Scrappers baserunner Erik Gonzales slides into third base under the tag by the IronBirds’ Anthony Caronia during their New York-Penn League game Wednesday at Eastwood Field in Niles. After a rain delay in the top of the ninth inning, the IronBirds rallied to win, 3-1.
Scrappers drop storm-delayed contest
By Steve Ruman
Niles
Mother Nature put a damper on the hottest team in the New York-Penn League.
The Aberdeen IronBirds then put out the flame.
The IronBirds on Wednesday defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3-1 in front of 3,217 fans at Eastwood Field.
The loss for the Scrappers snapped a six-game winning streak which included series sweeps of State College and Williamsport.
The Scrappers and IronBirds entered the ninth inning tied at 1-1, then sat through a one-hour-36-minute rain delay. When play resumed, the IronBirds wasted little time scoring the game’s winning run.
Scrappers reliever Rafael Homblert struggled mightily in his one inning of work following the delay. The righty gave up a pair of singles, walked two, committed an error and coughed up two wild pitches.
The IronBirds broke the tie when Doug Bream scored on Homblert’s first errant pitch of the inning. They tacked on an insurance run on an Anthony Vega single.
The Scrappers put the potential tying run on base with one out in the bottom of the ninth. However, Aberdeen reliever Jose Nivar recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
Wednesday’s crowd sat through several innings of strong lightning before heavy winds and torrential rain chased the majority from the stadium just before 10 p.m.
A handful of die-hards who were anxiously awaiting a post-game fireworks show were in their seats when play resumed after 11.
The IronBirds took a 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to three straight singles. Joel Hunter started the rally with a one-out hit to right. He advanced to third on a Doug Bream base hit. Hunter then crossed the plate on a Lucas Herbst single to center.
The Scrappers tied the game in the third. Erik Gonzalez started off the bottom of the inning with a single. A two-base throwing error by IronBirds Catcher Pedro Perez advanced Gonzalez to third. He then scored on a Jairo Kelly double.
Scrappers starter Jake Sisco logged another solid performance. The right-hander worked five innings, surrendering just the one run while scattering five hits.
Relievers Cody Penny and Jack Wagoner combined to work three scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit.
The Scrappers and IronBirds resume their three-game series tonight at 7:05.
Sheets
PEARL, Miss.
Ben Sheets gave up four runs in five innings for the Double-A Mississippi Braves in his first professional appearance in nearly two years.
The veteran right-hander gave up two runs in both the first and second innings, but settled down after that, retiring 10 in a row to end his outing. He struck out six and walked one.
The Atlanta Braves hope the four-time All-Star can bolster their starting rotation in the coming weeks. The 33-year-old last pitched in the majors with the Oakland Athletics in 2010. He had a 4-9 record and a 4.53 ERA in 20 starts before an elbow injury ended his season. He threw 74 pitches, including 46 strikes on Wednesday. His fastball sat around 90 miles per hour most of the evening.