About time: Scrappers find a way to top ’Cutters

August 3, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

Mahoning Valley is now 1-5 against rival Williamsport

NILES

Finally, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers turned the tables on Williamsport.

The Scrappers defeated the Crosscutters 2-1 in front of 2,733 fans Tuesday night at Eastwood Field.

The victory was the Scrappers’ first of the season against Williamsport in six tries, and it salvaged a three-game home series in which the Scrappers went 1-2 despite not giving up an earned run.

A total of 16 runs have been scored between the two teams in the six games played (10 for Williamsport, six for the Scrappers). Every game has been decided by one run.

“It’s nice to be on the other side for once, it was a nice win and a much-needed win,” said Scrappers reliever Michael Letkewicz. “We’ve had our ups and downs this season, but we’ve never gotten too high or too low. We’ve always come to the ballpark ready to play and in a good frame of mind.”

Letkewicz (1.46 ERA) pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the win and pick up his first professional save. The right-hander gave up a one-out single and a walk, but Williamsport third baseman Evan Rogers grounded into a double play to end the game.

Williamsport’s lone run came in the first inning when David Martinelli singled, then came around to score on a throwing error.

The Scrappers tied the game at 1 in the fourth. A throwing error put runners on first and third, then Todd Isaacs stole second. On the throw to second, Gabriel Mejia broke for home and safely slid under a tag.

Appropriately in this series, the Scrappers scored what would be the game-winning run in the eighth without the benefit of a hit. Mejia led off the inning by striking out, but advanced to first on a wild pitch. He advanced two bases on a pair of groundouts, then scored on an error by Rogers.

After working out of the bullpen on six occasions, Tanner Tully started for the Scrappers. The left-handed pitcher out of Ohio State worked three innings, giving up just the one unearned run on four hits.

Following an unusual week which included three days off (two because of rain) and a rain-shortened five inning game, Scrappers pitching coach Tighe Dickinson was anxious to see his hurlers get some work and get back in the groove.

“It’s been a tough stretch in terms of trying to get these guys in a routine, trying to get everyone their work,” Dickinson said. “It’s been especially tough for the bullpen. We’ve had trouble getting everyone their innings. You want to give everyone work, so you have to limit the pitches.”

“The rainouts and the shortened games, they sort of take pitchers out of their routine. But our guys have really handed things well. They have done a remarkable job adapting to what has been thrown at them.”