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Scrappers top Yankees in 12 innings
By Steve Ruman
NILES
A dubious streak which began last July came to an end Wednesday courtesy of the Staten Island defense.
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers took advantage of a pair of 12th-inning errors by the Yankees to post a 2-1 win in front of 2,328 fans at Eastwood Field.
The victory marked the first time that the Scrappers won back-to-back home games since last year, when they won four straight from July 18-21.
With two out in the bottom of the 12th, the Scrappers’ Daniel Salters singled, but advanced all the way to third on a fielding error by Yankees right fielder Jhalan Johnson. Jodd Carter followed with a pop-up that was mishandled by second baseman Thairo Estrada, allowing Salters to score the winning run.
The Scrappers (13-18) have won three straight for the first time this season.
Staten Island took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a one-out RBI single by Junior Valera. The Scrappers tied the game at 1-1 in their half of the third on a Mark Mathias RBI base hit. Mathias continues to swing a hot bat for the Scrappers. The second baseman is 11 of 20 in his last three games with a double, two triples a home run, six runs scored and four RBI.
The Scrappers stayed in the game thanks to strong pitching by starter Jared Robinson (6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 SO) and four relievers.
Cortland Cox (3-0) worked the final three innings to get the win. Cox surrendered just one hit and struck out three to lower his ERA to 0.87.
“Staten Island is a fastball hitting team, my goal was to get them off-speed, keep them off their balance and work them in and out of the plate,” Cox said. “It worked well tonight, and we came out with a victory.”
MESA SETTING THE TABLE
Jose Mesa Jr., the son of former Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Jose Mesa, is a relief pitcher for Staten Island.
Mesa was selected out of Flanagan High School in Miramar, Fla., by the New York Yankees in the 24th round of the 2012 draft. He spent two seasons in the Gulf Coast League, began this season in the GCL and was promoted to Staten Island last month.
“Growing up around the game, it just seemed natural that I’d be here,” Mesa said. “Between some God-given talent and the fact that baseball has been my life for as long as I can remember, I just always worked toward this goal.”
Mesa’s dad saved 321 games for eight teams, went to two All-Star Games and finished second in American League Cy Young Award balloting in 1995. But he is best known for not holding a one-run lead in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.
“Honestly, I think he’s let [the blown save] go, but if he thinks about it I know it still bothers him,” Mesa said. “He shared with me some insight from the game, some things that didn’t go his way. But it’s rarely brought up.”
Mesa said he often watches film of his dad, and tries to pick up as many pointers as possible.
Mesa also has been linked to his dad through the legendary nickname, Joe Table. The elder Mesa was tagged with the moniker during his days in Cleveland. The younger Mesa uses the name for his twitter account.
“My dad loved the name, he still uses it on his voice mail,” Mesa said. “I’ve been tagged with the same name, and I welcome it. Translated, Jose Mesa literally means Joe Table.”