Isaacs’ walk-off blast lifts Scrappers

By Steve ruman

sports @vindy.com

NILES

Tuesday proved to be quite a day for Todd Isaacs.

Earlier in the day, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers outfielder was voted to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.

In the evening hours, Isaacs powered the Scrappers to a 9-6 come-from-behind win over Batavia in front of 2,066 fans at Eastwood Field.

Isaacs belted a two-out, three run, walk-off home run over the left-field wall in the bottom of the 11th to give the Scrappers (23-27) the victory. The homer was the second of the night for Isaacs, who in the third inning gave the Scrappers a 2-0 lead with a solo blast.

“This is the first time in sixteen years of playing baseball that I’ve had a multi-home run game,” Isaacs said. “You know, before this year I think I had four home runs my entire life.”

Isaac’s blasts on Tuesday were his fourth and fifth of the season.

Early on, it appeared as though the Scrappers would cruise to a victory. They built a 5-0 lead thanks to the strong pitching of starter Shane Bieber and reliever Luis Jimenez.

Bieber, making his fourth start of the season, gave up just one hit while recording a pair of strikeouts in his three innings. Luis Jimenez, who entered the game with an 0-4 record and an 8.78 ERA, was dazzling in relief. Jimenez worked five innings, giving up one earned run on three hits. At one point Jimenez retired 16 consecutive batters.

The Scrappers defense imploded late, committing three errors in the eighth and ninth innings to allow Batavia to tie the game at 5. The Muckdogs (12-39) took a 6-5 advantage in the top of the 11th before the Scrappers rallied for the win.

“I was just trying to pound something up the middle with a runner on third because I thought I could leg one out,” Isaacs said of his game-winner. “I fought off some good pitches then got a good swing.

“I just have to give God almighty all the credit. I’ve been tested this season from not playing every day to other battles. But I have stayed locked in, and it’s been a blessing.”

ROSTER MOVES

The Scrappers’ roster experienced a bit of a makeover during their recent six-game road trip.

Most notably, Brady Aiken was added to the Scrappers roster.

Aiken, listed by MLB.com as the Indians’ second-best prospect, was selected in the first round (17th overall) in the 2015 draft. The left-hander was previously selected as the overall number one pick by the Houston Astros in 2014, but medical concerns nixed the deal.

The 19-year-old was drafted out of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego. He did not pitch in 2015 due to an arm injury which required Tommy John surgery. In the Arizona League this summer, Aiken posted an 0-4 record with a 7.13 ERA. In 24 innings, he allowed 19 earned runs while recording 35 strikeouts.

Aiken is slated to start tonight for the Scrappers.

Meanwhile, Scrappers starter Triston McKenzie has been promoted to Lake County. With the Scrappers, McKenzie posted a 4-3 record with a league-best 0.55 ERA.

The Scrappers also lost pitching coach Tighe Dickinson, who left the Indians organization to assume a similar role at Tulane. Dickinson was replaced by Mark Allen.

ALL-STAR SCRAPPERS

Isaacs (.382) was among six Scrappers named to the All-Star team. He is joined by fellow outfielders Andrew Calica (.360, 17 RBIs) and Gabriel Mejia (.299, 8 doubles, 2 triples) along with infielder Erlin Cerda (.255, 27 RBIs). Also making the team were pitchers Tanner Tully (3-0, 1.13 ERA) and Juan Hillman (3-1, 2.55 ERA).