Scrappy victory

July 29, 2012 at 12:09a.m.

Mahoning Valley overcomes elements, Cyclones

By jon moffett

Niles

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers grounds crew worked double time to try and remove all traces of the recent summer storms that washed out the team’s last game.

But despite their best efforts, Eastwood Field resembled Eastwood Swamp for much of the game. And it was fitting, too, as the Scrappers offense was stuck in the mud for a majority of the game.

But that all changed with the lightning-speed strike and thunderous crack of Joe Sever’s bat. The third baseman belted a two-run home run over the left field fence to wrestle a Scrappers victory away from the visiting Brooklyn Cyclones.

The Scrappers defeated Brooklyn Cyclones 3-2 on Saturday. The Scrappers (21-18) had a stagnant offensive outing early, but capitalized when they needed to most. Sever said he knew he had belted his first big-league blast the second it came off the bat.

“It’s nice to get that one out of the way,” Sever said. “It’s always on the back of your mind, whether you want it to be or not. But it’s nice to get it out of the way.”

The Scrappers were backed by a solid pitching performance by ace Luis DeJesus. DeJesus (3-1) went six innings. He allowed a pair of runs on five hits. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. And his command and ability to change eye levels helped keep the opponents on their heels.

The Cyclones (23-17) countered with a strong outing of their own. Starter Hansel Robels was the definition of effective, going five innings and allowing a run on five hits. He pounded the zone and showed impressive command, throwing 55 strikes in 75 pitches. He fanned seven Scrapper hitters.

The Cyclones entered the game with the second-best team ERA in the New York-Penn League. Sever said Robels kept the team off balanced, but a continued focus helped them pull out the win.

“[Robels] was throwing really well and spotting up really well. He was getting on top of us early,” Sever said. “But we just battled through him and got some key hits.”

Sever, who had the responsibility of manning the muddy, murky third base area, said he knew he was in for a treat during the first at bat.

Brooklyn leadoff man Brandon Nimmo hit a bloop single behind the bag and into the new puddle. He hoped it would be the only hit in that area.

But it was far from the most important hit. That designation went to the blast from the Eastwood Bayou Bomber.

The other scoring offense for the Scrappers came in the second inning when catcher Richard Stock scored from third on a single up the middle by right fielder Andrew Campbell.

Local product Eddie Rohan made an appearance during the game as the first-base coach. Rohan, a graduate of Ursuline High, was called up from the Gulf Coast League on Saturday where he played catcher and batted .222 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs. He played college ball at Winthrop.

SCRAPPERS 3, Brooklyn 2

BrooklynScrappers

abrhbiabrhbi

Nimmo cf4110Kelly ss3000

Evans ss4000Naquin cf4000

Boyd 1b4011Wendle 2b4130

Plawecki c 4011Sever 3b4122

Sabol lf4000Stock c4120

Sanchz dh2010Vick dh4010

Gamba 2b3000Gonzalez 1b3000

Ponce 3b3000Campbell rf3011

Pine rf3110Jones rf3010

Totals31252Totals323103

Brooklyn101000000—2

Scrappers01000002x—3

E—Sever (3). DP —Cyclones 2, Scrappers 1. LOB—Cyclones 3, Scrappers 6. 2B—Plawecki (4), Stock (1). HR—Sever (1).

IPHRERBBSO

Cyclones

Robles551107

Mincone (H,2)220001

Wynn (L 0-1)132210

Scrappers

DeJesus652202

Peoples (W, 1-0)200013

Penny (S, 2)100003

Umpires—Home, Matt Moore; Bases, Jeff Andrews. T—2:17. A—2,621.