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Scrappers fall twice to Muckdogs
By Steve Ruman
NILES
Rain!
Because of it, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Batavia Muckdogs played a doubleheader Friday at Eastwood Field. As an added bonus, fans were treated to a fireworks show featuring the sounds of the Beatles.
While the post-game pyrotechnics may have given those in attendance reason to twist and shout, the play on the field once again left fans in misery.
The Scrappers suffered through yet another hard day’s night, losing a pair to the Muckdogs in front of 3,061 fans. Batavia won both games by identical scores of 4-2.
The Scrappers must feel as though the season is one long and winding road. They fall to 24-38, and have lost 13 of their last 17. In fact, if not for a walk-off 3-2 win on Thursday, the Scrappers would have lost eight games this past week.
“It’s tough, but you have to just keep playing through it,” said Scrappers left fielder Josh McAdams. “Some of these guys are getting tired because this is the first time they’ve played every day through the summer.
“I’ve been through the program before, so it’s a little easier for me. But I’m even feeling the wear and tear a bit. It can become a grind, but you have to keep giving everything you have. I come out here with the same energy every night.”
Batavia won the opener thanks to a little help from their foes in the top of the eighth. With the game tied at 1-1 and runners on first and second with one out, Batavia leadoff hitter J.T. Riddle hit a ball to Scrappers pitcher Trevor Frank. The quick comebacker looked like the start of an inning-ending double play. Instead, it turned into a two-error play.
Frank’s throw to second was dropped by Scrappers shortstop James Roberts. Rather than let it be, second baseman Paul Hendrix picked up the ball and attempted to throw out Riddle at first. Hendrix’s throw resulted in the second error of the play, scored a run and advanced all runners.
A throwing error by Scrappers catcher Martin Cervenka, along with RBIs by Juan Avilia and Carlos Lopez gave the Muckdogs a 4-1 advantage.
The Scrappers scored a run in the bottom of the eighth when Claudio Bautista tripled, then came home on a passed ball. But beyond that, they had no reply.
The Scrappers’ comedy of errors carried over to the top of the first inning in the nightcap. Miscues by Scrappers catcher Sicnarf Loopstok and shortstop James Roberts put the first two batters of the game on base. Both runners eventually scored.
The Muckdogs added a pair of runs in the second on RBI base hits by Rehiner Cordova and Riddle.
The Scrappers scored single runs in the third and fifth innings. Nellie Rodriguez, who won the game Thursday with a two-run homer, represented the tying run for the Scrappers in the bottom of the seventh, but he struck out to end the game.
Oddly enough, the Scrappers began July by losing 12 straight. They then won 13 of 17 and were the hottest team in the New York-Penn League before hitting their latest skid.
“It’s weird, because we’re taking the same approach, doing the same things that we were doing when we were winning,” McAdams said. “Baseball is a funny game.”
The Scrappers and Muckdogs continue their four-game series tonight at 7:05.