Scrappers capture third straight win

Staff report

Auburn, N.Y.

Ulysses Cantu’s first-inning home run and strong pitching from starter Francisco Perez led the Scrappers to a sweep of the Auburn Doubledays at Falcon Park.

Saturday’s 5-4 victory was the Scrappers’ third straight win and their eighth straight overall against the Doubledays extending to the 2016 season.

Cantu’s three-run blast, his fourth of the season, brought home Ernie Clement and Oscar Gonzalez.

Perez (2-2) earned the win with five-and-a-third strong innings of work. He scattered three hits while allowing one unearned run. Perez walked two and struck out a season-high six.

Jesse Berardi’s RBI double scored Jonathan Laureano for a 4-0 lead in the second inning.

The Doubledays scored once in the sixth inning and twice in the seventh to tighten the score.

Laureano’s RBI single in the eighth scored Gonzalez with the Scrappers’ fifth run.

Kyle Nelson pitched the ninth inning to earn the save. He came in after Randy Valladares, Ping-Hsueh Chen and Domingo Jimenez relieved Perez.

The Scrappers (20-12) have sole possession of first place in the Pinckney Division.

Today, they open a three-game series in State College, Pa., against the Spikes. Grant Hocking will get the start for the Scrappers. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.

Their next game at Eastwood Field will be Thursday against the Williamsport Crosscutters. It will be the first of six consecutive games at home.