43
Rohan sees action in M.V. loss
Photo
Scrappers base runner Aaron Siliga (2) crosses home plate behind Brooklyn Cyclones catcher Kevin Plawecki to score the Mahoning Valley’s first run of the game. Siliga also tripled, but the Scrappers fell to Brooklyn, 10-5, in front of 3,398 fans at Eastwood Field.
By STEVE WILAJ
NILES
With the Mahoning Valley Scrappers hosting “Baseball Brawl” on Sunday at Eastwood Field, the promotional title was fitting for the actual game as well.
While the fans watched professional wrestlers supply hard hits after the ballgame, they were treated to similar hitting before, as the Brooklyn Cyclones outslugged the Scrappers, 10-5.
In a game that saw 27 hits between both teams, the Cyclones (24-17) were more powerful, belting three homeruns as part of their 16-hit onslaught.
The scoring started when Scrappers starting pitcher Ryan Merrit surrendered a three-run home run to the Cyclones’ Phillip Evans in the first inning. Merrit exited with a wrist injury, causing manager Ted Kubiak to make an early call to the bullpen.
And even though the Cyclones eventually built a 10-2 lead, the Scrappers (21-19) didn’t quit.
Pounding out 11 hits, the home team battled back in the late innings, cutting the deficit to five runs and loading the bases in the eighth. But the rally ended with a strikeout of Joe Wendle.
“We kept swinging the bat well,” said Scrappers centerfielder Tyler Naquin. “It shows that everybody has a pretty level head on this team.”
Naquin, the Cleveland Indians highly touted prospect, finished 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Hitting only .175 (7-for-40) in his last ten games, Naquin was focused on having better at-bats.
“I just try to dig deep, and say ‘hey it’s a new at-bat,’” he said.
Another player with many fans watching, Ursuline High graduate Eddie Rohan saw his first action as a member of the Cyclones.
His first time playing in the Mahoning Valley since high school, Rohan described his return as “awesome.”
“It’s exciting to get back and see everyone a little bit,” he said. “I hung out with my family [Sunday] morning and [Saturday] night.”
Rohan, who joined Brooklyn’s team on Saturday from Florida after coming off the disabled list, went 0-for-3 with a hit by pitch and a walk. After grounding-out to the shortstop twice, Rohan flew-out to deep left center — just shy of the warning track — in his final at-bat.
“I felt I got a little better as the day went on,” he said. “I haven’t seen much live pitching being on the DL, so it’s about getting my timing back.”
While Rohan admits he isn’t sure of his role with Brooklyn, he knows he must approach the game with the right attitude.
“I gotta have a game plan every day,” he said. “I gotta have a purpose with everything I’m doing. Whether it’s a pitch in batting practice or catching in the bullpen, I gotta take it like it’s a game.”
CYCLONES 10, Scrappers 5
BrooklynScrappers
abrhbiabrhbi
Nimmo cf6342Kelly ss4010
Reynlds 2b4330Naquin cf5122
Evans ss5234Wendle dh4020
Plawecki c4000Valerio c4010
Boyd 1b3012Siliga lf5110
Sabol lf5010Frazar 1b5021
Snchez 3b4011Gnzalez 3b5111
Ponce 3b1000Campbell rf2111
Rohan dh3000Sever 2b2100
Cncpcon rf5231
Totals40101610Totals365115
Brooklyn320022010—10
Scrappers011000030—5
E—Valerio (6). DP —Cyclones 1, Scrappers 1. LOB—Cyclones 9, Scrappers 11. 2B—Wendle (11), Naquin (10), Valerio (6), Sabol (13), Nimmo (11). 3B—Siliga (3). HR— Evans (4), Concepcion (1), Nimmo (3). SB—Campbell (1), CS— Kelly (2).
IPHRERBBSO
Cyclones
Hilario352214
Wheeler W, 1-0300026
Peterson1.243311
Taylor1.120002
Scrappers
Merritt L, 3-30.223310
Martin3.264411
Stokes1.252212
Encarnacion100010
Holmbert121100
Wagoner110000
Umpires—Home, Ryan Benson; Bases, Brian Peterson. T—3:08. A—3,398.