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Scrappers limp into All-Star break
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Steven Patterson of the Scrappers lays down a bunt during Sunday’s game against the Williamsport Crosscutters in Niles.
By Steve Ruman
NILES
Sunday was dubbed Family Fun Day at Eastwood Field. Family-friendly activities took place throughout the afternoon, and following the game between Mahoning Valley and Williamsport, children were invited onto the field to run bases.
Perhaps the Scrappers would have been wise to partake in the post-game run.
After all, they spent little time during the game kicking up their heels on the base paths.
The Scrappers scored one run on three hits in the first inning, but did little after that in a 3-1 loss to the Crosscutters in front of 2,937 fans.
The Scrappers limp into the New York-Penn League All-Star break with a 26-36 record.
Williamsport scored the game’s first run in the top of the first on a Rhys Hoskins groundout which scored Jiandido Trump.
The Scrappers answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Steven Patterson doubled to right with one out, then, following a Bradley Zimmer infield single, Patterson scored on a Francisco base hit.
The Scrappers’ offense was shut down from that point forward.
Williamsport scored single runs in the fourth and the eighth to cap the night’s scoring. Derek Campbell doubled to lead off the fourth, then scored on a Chase Harris base hit. In the eighth, Cord Sandberg reached on a Patterson error and came around to score on a Campbell RBI single.
As a team, the Scrappers are batting .237, the third-lowest average in the NYPL. In addition to their struggles at the plate, the Scrappers on Sunday committed three errors. Catcher Francisco Mejia was removed from the game in the eighth when he failed to run out a grounder with a runner on second and no outs.
The one bright spot for the Scrappers was the play of Zimmer, who continues to put up some of the best numbers in the NYPL. Zimmer went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base Sunday to lift his average to .321. He has three home runs and 23 RBIs. In his last 10 games, the center fielder is 17-for-39 (.436 batting average) with a pair of home runs and eight RBIs.
“Right now I’m just going up there relaxed and confident,” Zimmer said. “I’m just trying to simplify the game and do the things that I’ve done throughout my baseball career.”
Zimmer, the Indians’ top pick in the June draft, signed a contract in mid-June and didn’t join the Scrappers until June 23. He also missed nearly two weeks with a head injury.
“It was exciting to get back into the lineup after the injury, I was anxious to play,” Zimmer said. “I came out hoping to pick up where I left off, and I’ve been fortunate to have some success.”
If it weren’t for his time away, Zimmer would have been a lock to earn a spot on the all-star roster.
“It’s a bit disappointing, because sure I want to be an all-star,” Zimmer said. “Actually if I had my way, there wouldn’t be a break. I love this game and when you’re in a groove you want to keep playing.”
With his time off, Zimmer said that he will have an opportunity go get familiar with his summer home.
“We really haven’t had any free time, I plan play some golf and see what Niles, Ohio, has to offer,” Zimmer said.
The Scrappers begin a five-game road trip Wednesday at Williamsport.