Scrappers tied for league lead in wins

Staff report

Niles

Monday’s 6-2 victory over the Batavia Muckdogs at Eastwood Field has the Scrappers (25-15) leading the New York-Penn League in victories.

The Scrappers got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nolan Jones walked to start the inning and moved to third on an Oscar Gonzalez single.

Jones scored on an RBI groundout by Simeon Lucas for a 1-0 lead. Will Benson followed Lucas and blasted a two-run homer into the bullpen in right to push the lead to 3-0.

Batavia cut the Scrappers lead to one run in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, the Muckdogs got back-to-back solo homers from Micah Brown and Michael Hernandez.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Scrappers put the game away. With one out, Hosea Nelson singled and Tyler Friis walked.

Ernie Clement followed with a single to load the bases and extend his hitting streak to 14 straight games.

Jesser Berardi followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to score Nelson.

Jones then cleared the bases with a two-run double for a 6-2 lead.

Gregori Vasquez (2-2) earned the win for the Scrappers in six innings of work, a season high. He allowed two earned runs on four hits.

Vasquez walked one and struck out five.

Riley Echols picked up a hold with 1.2 innings of relief. Echols did not allow a hit or a run. He walked one and did not record a strikeout.

Kyle Nelson went the final 1.1 innings in relief to finish the game. Nelson did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out three.

The Scrappers will go for their fourth series sweep of the season tonight against Batavia. Zach Plesac will get the start for the Scrappers.