Scrappers’ Bautista scores winning run in NYPL All-Star Game.

Staff report

NORWICH, CONN.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ representatives didn’t manage a hit, but one of them — Claudio Bautista — reached on a ninth-inning error and eventually scored the winning run in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

With the game tied at 3, Bautista scored on a fielder’s choice forceout when the National League was unable to turn a double play on a ground ball to shortstop as the American League won in walk-off fashion, 4-3, at Dodd Stadium.

The NL took a 3-2 lead with two runs in the top of the eighth inning, but John Mincone couldn’t save the game in the ninth. Ryan Huck led off the inning with a game-tying home run and Ben Verlander followed with a single to left. Bautista then reached on an error by NL shortstop Cesar Valera and both runners moved up on a wild pitch during Bubba Jones’ at-bat.

Verlander tried to score on Jones’ eventual grounder to third, but third baseman Zach Green threw him out at home plate, with catcher Gabriel Lino applying the tag to momentarily save the game as Jones reached first safely and Bautista advanced to third on the fielder’s choice.

Hernandez then grounded to Valera, whose throw to second baseman L.J. Mazzilli forced Jones, but Hernandez beat the relay as Bautista scored the winning run.

Scrappers pitchers Luis Lugo and Matt Whitehouse each worked a scoreless inning of relief for the AL.

Bautista and teammates James Roberts and Nellie Rodriguez each went 0 for 2.

The Scrappers (22-29) return to action at 7:05 tonight in State College, Pa., against the Spikes.