Scrappers limited to 4 hits in defeat

Staff report

NORWICH, CONN.

The Connecticut Tigers’ two-out rally in the third inning gave them just enough runs to defeat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 2-1, on Sunday in New York-Penn League action.

The inning started well for the Scrappers (20-26) when Javier Azcona grounded out and Tyler Gibson walked, then was picked off by Dace Kime.

But Curt Powell ignited the Tigers’ (20-27) rally with a double. After stealing third base, Powell came home on Austin Schotts’ single.

After Schotts stole second base, Dominic Ficociello doubled to score Schotts for a 2-0 lead.

Five Tigers pitchers limited the Scrappers to four hits and one run.

James Roberts led off the Scrappers’ seventh inning with a home run to left field.

Kime (0-2) took the loss, giving up three hits in the four innings he pitched.

Tigers reliever Logal Ehlers came on in the seventh inning and pitched one-and-a-third innings to earn the victory. Zac Reininger retired the side in the ninth inning to record the save.

The Scrappers are off today and will open a six-game homestand on Tuesday at Eastwood Field against Lowell.

TIGERS 2, SCRAPPERS 1

ScrappersConnecticut

abrhbiabrhbi

Mejia cf4020Powell ss4110

Bautsta 2b4010Schotts cf4111

Roberts 3b4111Ficociello 2b4021

Rdrguez 1b4000Verlander rf4000

Garcia ss3000Coffman dh0000

McAdms lf3000McAlpine c2000

Battaglia dh3000Leyland 1b3010

Cervenka c c2000Azcona 3b2000

Ferrell pr0000Harrison 3b2000

Loopstok c0000Gibson lf2000

Romero rf3000

Totals301 41Totals25252

Scrappers000000100—1

Connecticut00200000x—2

E—Azcona (15, throw). PB—Cervenka (7). DP—Scrappers 2, Connecticut 1. LOB—Scrappers 8, Connecticut 4. 2B—Powell (4), Ficocoello (8). HR—Roberts 1). PO—Meija (by Pritcher), Gibson (by Kime). SB—Powell (7), Schotts (11). CS—McAlpine (2).

IPHRERBBSO

Scrappers

Kime L, 0-2432243

Whitehouse200002

Puerta200001

Connecticut

Mantiply320001

Pritcher3.121111

Ehlers W, 2-01.100005

Sitz H, 40.100000

Reininger S, 6100002

WP—Kime 3. HBP—Coffman (by Whitehouse). Umpires: Home, Nate Caldwell; Bases, Dave Attridge. T—2:02. A—1,707.