Muckdogs outlast Scrappers in final meeting

Staff report

Niles

The Batavia Muckdogs’ bats came alive after being held to two runs in the first three games of the series.

Batavia beat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 8-6 on Monday in the final meeting between the two teams this season.

The loss snapped the Scrappers’ four-game winning streak.

The Scrappers (31-32) cut the lead to 7-6 on RBI groundouts from Joab Gonzalez and Johnathan Lopez in the bottom of the eighth. But Sean Reynolds drove in a run on a goundout to give the Muckdogs (35-29) some breathing room in the ninth.

Brayan Rocchio was hit by a pitch to start the home half of the ninth, but Bryan Lavastida grounded into a double play to end the game.

Joey Steele (2-0)pitched 21/3 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed two hits and a walk, striking out four.

Francis Cespedes (2-4) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks. The left-hander struck out two in 12/3 innings of relief.

Dalvy Rosario hit his second home run of the season for the Muckdogs, a three-run shot in the third.

The Scrappers will begin a three-game series at Williamsport on Thursday following the All-Star break.

The All-Star game is Wednesday in Staten Island, N.Y. Rocchio, Lavastida and outfielder George Valera will compete for the Blue team. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.