SPORTS DIGEST || Indians’ Tomlin set for Scrappers game

Indians’ Tomlin set for Scrappers game

NILES

Cleveland Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin will make a rehab appearance tonight at Eastwood Field when the Mahoning Valley Scrappers take on the West Virginia Black Bears.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

The starter was placed on the 10-day disabled list because of a left hamstring strain on July 31.

Prior to his last start on July 30, he posted a 2.59 ERA, and held opposing hitters to a .169/.186/.289 slash line in four starts.

Tonight’s game begins a crucial three-game series against the Black Bears for first place in the Pickney Division.

Tickets are available online at www.mvscrappers.com, by calling the Scrappers front office at 330-505-0000, or by visiting the Mr. Rooter Box Office at Eastwood Field.

Ex-Phantom Kulbakov signs with Monsters

CLEVELAND

Former Youngstown Phantoms goaltender Ivan Kulbakov has signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Kulbakov, who was not drafted in June’s NHL Draft, participated in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2017 Development Camp as free-agent invitees.

The Blue Jackets are the NHL parent club of the Monsters.

Kulbakov, 20, is a native of Gomel, Belarus. In the 2016-17 USHL season, the 6-foot-0, 183-pound goalie posted a record of 30-16-1 with five shutouts. He had a 1.93 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in 52 appearances.

Kulbakov led the league in appearances and shutouts, and was second in wins.

Correction

Myriah Merten scored the goal in Warren JFK’s 1-0 victory over Champion on Wednesday. Caitlyn Condoleon assisted. Incorrect information about the goal scorer was submitted to The Vindicator.

3 Scrappers pitchers blank Muckdogs

NILES

Kirk McCarty, Randy Valladares and Jean Carlos Mejia combined for a shutout as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers beat the Batavia Muckdogs 2-0 on Thursday at Eastwood Field.

Mejia struck David Gauntt out with a runner on first to end the game for his second save of the season.

Valladares (3-2) went two scoreless innings, striking out two and walking three to get the win. Remey Reed (2-4) went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and four hits while striking out nine in the New York-Penn League game.

Both runs for Mahoning Valley came in the fifth inning when Michael Rivera hit a sacrifice fly and Ernie Clement hit an RBI single.

The Muckdogs were blanked for the second time this season, while the Scrappers’ staff recorded their third shutout of the year.

Springfield team wins senior championship

CANTON

The Springfield (Johnson Club) won the championship of the Ohio Men’s Senior Baseball League Legends Division (65 and older) with a recent 7-4 win over the Kent Mud Hens at Thurman Munson Stadium.

Springfield finished 9-3 to win the regular-season championship, then won a pair of playoff games to finish 11-3 overall.

Team members are from Canfield; Struthers; Boardman; East Palestine; Hubbard; Niles; Hermitage, Pa.; Greenville, Pa.; and Mercer, Pa.

Team members are player-manager Pat Pruent, Ron Jennings, Skip Feigert, Jim Greer, Bobby Johnson, Rich Tabis, Ed Farrell, Paul Bevilacqua, Jim Wilson, Frank Ceccarelli, Don Christian, Jimmy Ciotti, Nick Simko, Howard Merritt, John Jewell, Dave Bindas, Dick Tate, Charlie Harris and Jack Thorn.

Staff report