Scrappers win to take series

Miniard tosses six strong innings against ’Cats

Staff report

NILES

Mahoning Valley used a three-run first inning to key a 5-3 victory against Tri-City on Wednesday at Eastwood Field in Niles.

The Scrappers won their second game in a row for the first time this season and took the rubber-match of the series to improve to 8-18. The ValleyCats, meanwhile, dropped to 13-13.

Starter Micah Miniard (1-2, 2.17 ERA) went six innings for Mahoning Valley to get the win, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five. Randy Valladares earned the save.

Miniard, 20, was the Indians’ eighth round pick in 2014.

Offensively for the Scrappers, Gabriel Mejia tripled, Andrew Calica went 2 for 2 with an RBI, Logan Ice went 1 for 3 with an RBI and scored and Emmanuel Tapia notched a hit and two RBIs.

After Tri-City cut Mahoning Valley’s lead to two runs in the third inning, the Scrappers added two runs in the eighth inning.

Taylor Jones homered for the ValleyCats, while Chuckie Robinson went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.

Starter Alex Winkelman (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in four innings. He struck out five.

Dace Kime and Argenis Angulo both pitched scoreless relief innings for the Scrappers, while Ping-Hsueh allowed one run on two hits in 2/3 innings.

Mahoning Valley has won three of its last four games.

The Scrappers begin a six-game road trip tonight against State College at 7:05 p.m.

After three games against State College, they’ll head to Auburn for three games beginning Sunday before returning home against Lowell on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.