Scrappers lose in rain-shortend contest

August 1, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

NILES

Earlier this season, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers pitching staff experienced a tough-luck series in Williamsport. The Scrappers gave up just five runs in 32 innings, yet lost games by the scores of 1-0, 2-1 and 2-1.

The trend continued Sunday in front of 2,164 humans and a gathering of four-legged friends on Bark at the Park Night at Eastwood Field.

Scrappers starter Triston McKenzie worked five innings without giving up an earned run. In the process, the 18-year-old lowered his ERA to a league-best 0.55.

Still, the Scrappers lost to the Crosscutters 1-0 in a game that was shortened to five innings because of rain.

The only run of the contest came in the second inning. Williamsport designated hitter Brett Barbier led off with a walk, and eventually scored on a passed ball.

McKenzie gave up just three hits while striking out eight. Williamsport starter JoJo Romero (1-0) surrendered just two runs on two hits.

“Triston used his secondary pitches quite a bit today, and it was good to see him have a lot of success while doing it,” Scrappers manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “This was simply another outstanding outing by Triston.

“By the same token, Romero was very good. He’s a very solid pitcher and he also did some great work with his secondary pitches. All in all, it was just a very good game for five innings.”

The Scrappers did squander several scoring opportunities. A walk and a hit batter put runners on first and second with one out in the first before Romero recorded back-to-back strikeouts. Nate Winfrey led off the bottom of the second with a single, but was retired on a double play. Yonathan Mendoza doubled with one out in the fifth, and advanced to third on a groundout. However, Silento Sayles struck out just as the skies opened up.

The Scrappers (18-23) had entered Sunday having won 13 of their previous 18 games. Meanwhile, Williamsport (26-16) leads the wildcard race.

“In my opinion, the best two teams in the New York-Penn League over the past three weeks are right here, so I expect a very good series,” Rodriguez said. “We’re a different team than we were when we played Williamsport earlier this year.”

The Scrappers and Crosscutters resume their series tonight at 7:05