Scrappers’ late rally not enough to avoid sweep

Staff report

Wappingers Falls, N.Y.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers entered their series finale against the Hudson Valley Renegades losers of seven straight.

On Friday night, they made that eight.

Despite getting the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, the Scrappers fell 6-4 to the Renegades and have now been swept in three straight series.

The start was ugly for Mahoning Valley (8-20). Sean Brady walked the leadoff man, Braxton Lee. Coty Blanchard followed with a single and then Jace Conrad tripled to drive in Lee and Blanchard for a quick 2-0 lead.

Casey Gillaspie then reached on a fielding error, allowing Conrad to score. A two-out single from Zach Marberry would bring in Gillaspie, putting the Scrappers in a four-run hole.

They began to chip away in the top of the fourth inning when Bradley Zimmer drew a one-out walk. Francisco Mejia doubled home Zimmer and then came around to score on a Leo Castillo RBI double.

Mahoning Valley made it a one-run game in the top of the seventh inning when D’Vone McClure and Yonathan Mendoza both singled to start the inning, setting up Greg Allen’s RBI single.

Hudson Valley (21-7) added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth.

The Scrappers and Lowell Spinners are set to open a three-game weekend series today in Massachusetts.