Walks costly in Scrappers’ loss to Spikes

Staff report

STATE COLLEGE, PA.

The State College Spikes walked all over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Monday night.

The Scrappers walked 10 batters — all in the first six innings — en route to a 5-3 loss to the Spikes in a New York-Penn League game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in State College.

Scrappers starter Leandro Linares (0-5) walked four batters, lasting 31/3 innings while allowing four runs on four hits.

Mahoning Valley reliever Cortland Cox wasn’t his usual self, walking three while allowing one hit on one run in two-thirds of an inning. Jose Zapata walked three in 12/3 innings, but did not give up a hit, nor did he allow a run.

Connor Marabell singled and doubled for Mahoning Valley (22-26), while Jack Goihl had two hits and scored a run and drove in Silento Sayles in the sixth inning. It was the first multi-hit game of Goihl’s professional career.

Dailyn Martinez (3-3) was strong for the Spikes (25-24), but did allow nine hits. Martinez went six innings and allowed three runs. Pedro Echimendia earned his seventh save of the season.

Michael Pritchard singled, doubled and drove in two runs for the Spikes, who took a 5-1 lead after four innings.

The Spikes are 4-0 against the Scrappers this season, and look for a series sweep tonight at 7:05. Shao-Ching Chiang takes the ball for the Scrappers against Juan Perez.