Cats pounce on Mahoning Valley early

Staff Report

Troy, N.Y.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ first game in the New York-Penn League playoffs didn’t end well.

The Tri-City ValleyCats beat the Scrappers 9-6 to take a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three series.

The Scrappers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth, but Simeon Lucas lined out and Jonathan Engelmann popped out to end the game.

The ValleyCats scored two runs in each of the first three innings.

The Scrappers cut the lead to 6-2 when Angel Lopez scored on a wild pitch in the top of the third. Stephen Kwan scored on a wild throw from catcher Oscar Campos on the play.

After a three-run fifth inning by the Tri-City, the Scrappers cut the lead to 9-4 with a two-run home run by Ruben Cardenas in the sixth. Cardenas finished 3 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Jose Fermin hit a two-run homer of his own in the seventh to trim the lead to 9-6.

Scrappers starter Zack Draper only last 1 1⁄3 innings. He allowed four runs on two hits and a walk, striking out one.

Mahoning Valley used five pitchers, but only Luis Valdez pitched more than 1 1⁄3 innings. Valdez allowed three runs on five hits and a walk in 2 2⁄3.

Brett Conine allowed two runs, one earned, in five innings for the ValleyCats. He struck out four and didn’t allow a walk in the win.

Austin Hansen earned the save, pitching 3 1⁄3 innings. Hansen allowed two runs on six hits and a walk.

The next two games of the series will be played at Eastwood Field. Game 2 is scheduled for today at

7:05 p.m.