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Taylor goes 4 for 4 with 5 RBIs in Scrappers’ rout
By Steve Ruman
NILES
A ray of sunshine — both literally and figuratively — has returned to Eastwood Field.
The inclement weather which seemed to plague the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in recent years has stayed away this summer, providing for rain-free baseball through 17 home games.
On the field, the struggles which kept the Scrappers in or near the basement of the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League for the better part of a decade has given way to success.
On Friday, the Scrappers’ winning ways continued with a 12-2 thrashing of Williamsport in front of 4,628 fans.
With the victory, the Scrappers lift their record to 23-14. It’s the Scrappers’ best record since Aug. 11, 2011 when they owned a 32-22 mark. They have now won 13 of their last 17 games.
Scrappers second baseman and leadoff hitter Samad Taylor proved to be all the offense the Scrappers would need. In five at-bats, the 19-year-old went 4 for 4 with a walk and five RBIs.
“This was a fun night, a good night for the team and me,” Taylor said. “I went 0 for 4 [Thursday] with a couple of strikeouts. To bounce back like this was big. I felt really comfortable at the plate.”
The Scrappers opened the scoring in the second when Mike Rivera was hit by a pitch, then came around to score on a balk. Ernie Clement scored the second run of the inning on a Taylor two-out single.
The Scrappers scored five runs in the third. Taylor, Rivera and Austen Wade all had RBI singles.
The Scrappers matched their five-run third inning with a five-run eighth. Taylor again provided the big blow, this time a bases-loaded double which plated three runs.
“Baseball is a funny game, you never know from one day to the next, but the important part is to keep plugging away,” Taylor said. “This team works really hard every day. We put in a ton of work, and it’s been showing on the field.”
Just 13 months ago, Taylor was graduating from high school. He spent the summer of 2016 in the Arizona League.
“The biggest adjustment has been being away from my family. Other than that, it’s just baseball, I love it,” Taylor said.
Francisco Perez (3-2) got the start and the win for MV. The lefty worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings to lower his earned run average to 2.57. He gave up just two hits and struck out four.
The on-field success has led to a banner year at the box office. The Scrappers (12-5 at home) are averaging 3,364 fans per contest in their 17 home games. A year ago, they averaged 2,632 fans per game.
“I definitely think that we’re seeing the benefits of a winning season, especially given the fact that we’ve struggled in recent years. Fans are really hungry for a winner,” said Scrappers general manager Jordan Taylor.
“There are a number of factors as to why we’re drawing better. We’ve done a great job with group sales. Weather is always our best promotion. But yeah, winning really helps the cause. Fans love a winner.”
Taylor believes the Scrappers are also benefiting from the success of their parent club, the Cleveland Indians.
“The Tribe has generated all kind of baseball excitement in this region,” Taylor said. “Plus, it’s tougher to get Indians tickets on the weekends, so fans are coming here to get their baseball fix.
“It’s especially exciting because we have such a young team.”
Friday’s starting lineup included four players who were drafted a year ago out of high school. Four others were selected out of college in last month’s June draft.
The Scrappers will look for the series sweep of Williamsport tonight when the two teams meet at 7:05.