Sudden Impact

By TOM WILLIAMS

williams@vindy.con

NILES

After a spectacular running catch that ended with an outfield wall collision, Scrappers center fielder George Valera took a few seconds sprawled on the warning track in left-center field to collect his breath.

Then he popped up to return to the dugout, unfazed.

“First one this year, many more to come,” Valera said of retiring Hudson Valley’s KV Edwards to end the second inning. “I was just trying to get air because that [collision] was pretty strong. No stars [observed], but a lot of adrenaline.”

Valera’s catch and his RBI double in the first inning were two of the few highlights for the Scrappers (14-16) in Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Renegades at Eastwood Field.

“I really didn’t think I was too close to the wall but I had to do everything I can to help my team,” Valera said of running at top speed.

Left fielder Korey Holland was the first to reach Valera to see if he was OK.

“Honestly, a tremendous catch,” Holland said. “I was talking to him the whole way [but] at that point there’s not much you can do. Hard impact but he held on to it.”

Scrappers manager Dennis Malave said he “was very proud of him giving us that kind of effort on the field, not only on that play, but [on] every single pitch. It’s very exciting to see him making those plays and giving us the opportunity to stay in the game.”

It was the Scrappers’ sixth loss in seven games as they wasted a strong outing from starting pitcher Matt Turner. In five innings, Turner scattered five hits, allowing one run. He struck out five and walked one.

“He competed with everything he had — 100 percent effort,” Malave said. “It wasn’t his best outing but he gave us everything he had.”

The Renegades (17-12) took a quick lead after leadoff batter Greg Jones singled on Turner’s first pitch. Jones scored on Jacson McGowan’s sacrifice fly.

The Scrappers tied the game in their first at-bat on back-to-back doubles by Ray Delgado and Valera on consecutive pitches by Renegades starter Zach Trageton.

In the sixth inning, Maiker Manzanillo (0-1) replaced Turner and was in immediate trouble. Hill Alexander reached on an infield single, took second on a wild pitch and scored on McGowan’s double. A wild pitch sent McGowan to third and he scored when Beau Brundage singled.

Kevin Santiago and McGowan led off the next two at-bats by doubling and scoring for a 5-1 lead.

Ninth-inning doubles by Delgado and Johnathan Rodriguez produced the Scrappers’ other run.

Tonight, Cleveland Indians Dan Otero, will start the series finale on a rehab assignment.

Malave said he will consult with Indians coaches today on what they hope Otero will accomplish. The right-hander is recovering from a shoulder injury and has been on the IL since June 2.

“It will be fun to see a major leaguer come and pitch for us,” Valera said.

Malave said Otero’s appearance in a Class A Short Season game provides a teaching moment.

“It’s an opportunity for guys to take a closer look to what a major leaguer looks like, how they behave, how they conduct themselves, how they prepare,” the first-year manager said.