Scrappers split doubleheader with Cyclones

Staff report

New York

One big inning derailed the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. But they rebounded in a second game to split a doubleheader with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Friday.

The Cyclones won the first game 5-4, but Mahoning Valley took the nightcap 4-0.

The Scrappers’ win snapped a four-game losing streak.

The Cyclones scored five runs in the bottom of the third to beat the Scrappers 5-4 in the opener.

Ranfy Adon hit a two-run home run to left field, Branden Fryman and Wilmer Reyes hit RBI singles and a run scored when Joe Genord grounded into a double play.

Michael Cooper scored on a wild pitch by Brooklyn starter Jaison Vilera to start a three-run second inning for the Scrappers. Korey Holland hit a two-run triple to center later in the inning.

The Scrappers’ other run came on a sacrifice fly by Cooper in the third.

Carlos Varga (1-2) allowed five runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out three in six innings, his longest outing of the season.

Vilera (2-3) allowed four unearned runs in six innings pitched. He gave up two hits and four walks with seven strikeouts.

Bryan Lavastida singled off Justin Lasko in the seventh. But Jonathan Lopez popped out to third in foul territory and Ray Delgado grounded out to second to end the game.

It was Lasko’s first save of the season.

The Scrappers (14-14) struck first in the nightcap. Ricchio hit a two-out triple in the top of the first and George Valera followed with an RBI single.

Mahoning Valley tacked on three more runs in the sixth.

Ricchio hit an RBI double to left field, scoring Pedro Alfonseca. Lavastida and Ricchio scored on wild pitches by Brian Metoyer later in the inning.

Jose Oca (made his first start of the season for the Scrappers. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three in 22/3 scoreless innings.

Nick Mikolajchak (1-0) earned his first Minor League win. The right-hander pitched 12/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits with a strikeout.

Jake Miednik and Tim Herrin pitched the final 22/3 innings. Miednik allowed two hits and Herrin pitched a perfect seventh.

The Cyclones (14-13) went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

Mitch Ragan (0-2) gave up one run on three hits in four innings pitched. He struck out one in his first start of the year.

The Scrappers return to Eastwood Field today for a three-game series with the Hudson Valley Renegades.

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