Scrappers lose despite presence of rehabbing Tribe pitchers

July 16, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

NILES

Not even appearances by Josh Tomlin and Nick Hagadone were enough to cure the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of their season-long home ailments.

Tomlin and Hagadone were in uniform Wednesday at Eastwood Field making rehab appearances for the Scrappers. It didn’t stop the Auburn Doubledays from posting an 11-3 win in front of 3,323 fans.

The Scrappers (8-16) are now 1-8 at home.

Last season with the Cleveland Indians, Tomlin went 6-9 with a 4.76 ERA in 25 games. At the start of spring training this March, the right-hander was expected to compete for the last open spot in the Indians’ starting rotation. Instead, a right shoulder injury which required surgery has kept Tomlin on the disabled list.

On Wednesday, Tomlin started for the Scrappers. He worked 32/3 innings, giving up three runs on three hits. He issued a pair of walks and recorded three strikeouts.

In the fourth inning, Tomlin surrendered a leadeoff triple. A one-out sacrifice fly plated a run and tied the game at 1-1. Tomlin then gave up a walk, a wild pitch and a run-scoring single before exiting the game.

Tomlin threw 65 pitches, 41 for strikes.

“It’s just a small snapshot of seeing Josh, but he looked healthy, the ball was coming out good and he was locating his pitches well,” said Scrappers pitching coach Greg Hibbard. “During the last inning, he was trying to use all of his stuff a little more and use some off-speed stuff, and it seemed like he was commanding the ball pretty good.”

“He looked fine. I know he has some more rehab ahead of him, but he looked good.

Hagadone is currently on the Indians 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain. This year with the Tribe, Hagadone owns a 4.28 ERA in 36 appearances. Only Bryan Shaw and Marc Rzepczynski have appeared in more games.

Hagadone started the fifth inning for the Scrappers but worked to only one batter, throwing four pitches. After recording an out on a popout, Hagadone left the game with what appeared to be an elbow injury.

“I really don’t know about Nick, I don’t know what happened,” Hibbard said. “I try not to know as much as I can, so I can’t comment on what happened.”

The Scrappers held a 1-0 lead going into the fourth thanks to Silento Sayles’ first home run of the season. However, the Doubledays would five runs in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead, then added three runs in both the eighth and ninth innings.

As it has all season long, the Scrappers’ pitching staff continues to struggle with its command. On Wednesday, Scrappers pitchers issued eight walks, hit a pair of batters and threw a pair of wild pitches.

The Scrappers have issued 29 walks in the past three games.

“Pitching is pretty tough, you can’t hide on that mound.” said Scrappers manager Travis Fryman. “Kenny Rowe, our old pitching coach, used to say if you can’t throw strikes, you can’t play baseball. That’s where it starts, being able to throw strikes.”

The Scrappers and Doubledays continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05.