Staten Island stymies Scrappers

By Steve ruman

sports @vindy.com

NILES

One night after the Mahoning Valley Scrappers erupted for 11 runs and 12 hits in what was their best offensive showing in nearly a month, Staten Island pitcher David Palladino made sure there wasn’t a repeat performance.

Palladino shut down the Scrappers for 52/3 innings, then let his bullpen take over in Staten Island’s 8-0 win Sunday in front of 2,962 fans.

In what was dubbed “Face Your Fear Night” at Eastwood Field, Palladino and his 6-foot-9 frame presented an imposing and fearsome challenge for Scrappers hitters.

Palladino didn’t allow a hit until Leo Castillo doubled to right-center with two out in the sixth inning. Palladino was replaced following the hit.

The Scrappers had just six hits.

“Today was a good day; I thought I had all my pitches working and I was mixing them up really well,” Palladino said. “I sat in the stands [Saturday] and saw that this team could hit. They take big swings and make nice contact, so I was happy to do what I was able to do against a good lineup.”

Palladino, an Emerson, N.J., native, was drafted by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2013 draft out of Howard University (Texas). He is 5-4 with a 4.01 ERA this season.

“It’s been up and down for me since coming to Staten Island last summer,” Palladino said. “But overall, I feel like I’ve improved and things that I’ve been working on since turning pro, they’ve ironed out. I’m really getting the feel for the game at this level.”

Mahoning Valley starter Nick Maronde fared well in his second outing as a Scrapper. He worked three shutout innings, issuing a walk and hitting a batter without allowing a hit. He struck out a pair of batters.

In two starts, Maronde has pitched five scoreless innings, allowing one hit.

Maronde was acquired by the Cleveland Indians on July 12 in a trade for cash considerations from the Los Angeles Angels. The 24-year-old lefty was on the Angels’ opening-day roster and was used strictly as a situational reliever.

The Scrappers’ relievers weren’t able to hold the Yankees in check. Jordan Carter replaced Maronde and gave up two runs on five hits in two innings. Anthony Vizcaya surrendered three runs (two earned) and four hits in two innings. Edward Estrella worked the final two innings, giving up three runs on five hits.

Jose Javier homered and knocked in three runs for the Yankees.

ALL-STAR SCRAPPERS

The New York-Penn League on Saturday announced its rosters for the league All-Star Game, which will be played Aug. 19 at MCU Park in Coney Island, N.Y.

Four Scrappers were placed on the American League squad: outfielders Greg Allen and Taylor Murphy, catcher Francisco Mejia and pitcher Sean Brady.

Allen, 21, is batting .268 with 16 RBIs in his first year out of San Diego State. The leadoff hitter is second in the league with 18 stolen bases.

Murphy, 21, is also in his first pro season out of Pacific. He is hitting .260 with three homers and 16 RBIs.

Mejia, a native of the Dominican Republic, is just 18. He is batting .279 as a cleanup hitter. He has 24 RBIs and 13 doubles.

Brady (2-3) holds a 2.62 ERA through 55 innings pitched in 11 starts. The 19-year-old who was drafted out of Cape Coral (Fla.) High in 2013 has recorded 37 strikeouts.