Scrappers continue struggles at Eastwood

July 7, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

Scrappers continue struggles at home

NILES

Monday was billed as Halloween Night at Eastwood Field when the Mahoning Valley Scrappers hosted Aberdeen.

For the first six innings, Scrappers pitching was as crisp as a late October night.

The seventh inning turned into a horror show, and the result was a frightening 6-3 Aberdeen win in front of a ghost town-like crowd of 1,656 fans. Perhaps with the aid of a witch’s broom, the Ironbirds swept the three-game series from the Scrappers.

Eastwood Field continues to be a haunted house for the Scrappers (5-12), who are now 1-7 at home.

The Scrappers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, and the advantage held up through six thanks to another strong start by Shao-Ching-Chiang. The right-hander gave up just one hit and struck out four in five innings of work. On the season, Chiang (2-0, 0.56 ERA) has given up just one run in 16 innings.

However, against the Scrappers’ ghoulish bullpen, the Ironbirds teed off for five runs in the seventh inning.

“We’re all struggling to find our groove right now, but we have to just keep playing hard and playing for the next day,” said Scrappers shortstop Willi Castro. “There’s no pressure. There’s no pressing. You just have to go up there with a new focus each time at bat. You have to keep doing what got you here.

“I take the same approach every day. If you let slumps get to you, it can be a long season.”

Aberdeen reliever and Howland native Tanner Scott started the seventh but failed to get through the inning. The lefty gave up a single, hit a pair of batters and issued a pair of walks. He left the game with the bases loaded, having given up two runs.

BRINKER BACK HOME

Marty Brinker, a 2008 Girard High graduate, is the Ironbirds’ athletic trainer.

During his high school days, Brinker played football, basketball and baseball for the Indians. He continued his baseball career at Capital University, where he was a pitcher.

“I always had dreams of becoming a professional baseball player, but that didn’t pan out, so this is the next best thing,” Brinker said. “I can’t complain. I get to work in professional baseball and around these guys every day. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

In 2011, Brinker served an internship with the Scrappers. From there he worked as the University of Akron athletic trainer for two years. Last year he held the same position for the West Point football team.

“They were all great learning experiences, but my goal was always to land a baseball job,” Brinker said.

In addition to helping out with everyday injuries and conditioning, Brinker serves as the Ironbirds’ go-to man in a variety of ways. He handles everything from travel accommodations to post-game meals to player meal money.

“In the minors, it’s not just the everyday sports medicine stuff I deal with,” Brinker said. “Basically, I do everything so that the only thing the players have to worry about is baseball.

“Fortunately, we haven’t had too many injuries, so I can juggle the workload.”

Ironically, the Ironbirds were short a hotel room during their three-day stay in Niles. That gave Brinker the opportunity to spend the holiday weekend at his home in Girard.

“It was neat to come back home to where it all began and spend time with my family,” Brinker said.