Wilson’s wheels send Spikes to loss

July 24, 2019 at 12:00a.m.

Mahoning Valley scores 3 of 4 runs off errors

By Dan Hiner

Niles

Billy Wilson has been through some ups and downs during the 2019 season. He was called up to Lake County, only to be sent down six days later.

He’s had his share of hitless games. But he went 2 for 3 with two RBIs in the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ 4-1 win on Tuesday night at Eastwood Field.

Wilson was called up from the Scrappers to Lake County on the July 12. After going 1 for 12 in four games, he returned to Mahoning Valley on Thursday.

Wilson started the season on an 0-for-24 streak and is batting .179 this year. But since he returns, Wilson has batted .250 with a home run and driven in four runs.

“The biggest thing is I’m just trying to play every day,” Wilson said. “I don’t really care where I’m playing. At the end of the day, I’m in the minor Leagues. As long as I keep getting at-bats, finding a way to get better, I think no matter where I’m at, I’m taking steps in the right direction.”

Routine plays were anything but routine for the Spikes. Three of the Scrappers’ four runs were unearned.

After an error by shortstop Moises Castillo, Joab Gonzalez drove in Yainer Diaz on an RBI triple to left-center field to tie the game in the fourth. Wilson followed with an two-out infield single to give Mahoning Valley the lead.

In the sixth, Gonzalez reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on an infield single by Wilson. Wilson scored on Castillo’s second error of the game. Castillo knocked the ball down, but didn’t pick up the ball until he saw Wilson rounding third. He tripped over his feet in the outfield as he turned toward home plate.

“I’ve been in a little bit of a snide to start the season, and even a couple weeks ago,” Wilson said. “Just continuing to try to get better and put the ball in play — get myself a chance.

“Hopefully my change in mentality and all that is paying off finally. Kinda just let it take over now.”

Carlos Soto drove in David Vinsky on a sacrifice fly off Jhonneyver Gutierrez. Soto lined out to right field. Johnathan Rodriguez’s throw was fractions of a second late and David Vinsky scored.

Gutierrez (2-4) allowed one run on four hits and two walks. He struck out two in five innings of work. It was Gutierrez’s first win since June 29 against Batavia.

Matt Waldron pitched four innings of one-hit relief for his first career save.

Junior Gonzalez (2-2) allowed two unearned runs in 32/3 innings. He gave up three hits and struck out a pair.

“They made a couple mistakes and we were able to take advantage of [them],” Scrappers manager Dennis Malave said. “One gave us an opportunity to score from second base and the other one gave us an opportunity to givve us another run.”

Finally Home

The Scrappers went 3-3 during their six game road trip to Williamsport and Batavia. It was the first of three six-game road swings for the Scrappers this season.

“Guys are used to playing on their field,” Malave said. “There’s always some adjustments they gotta make on the road. They just gotta learn the fields, gotta learn how the ball flies and things like that.

“It’s always good to be home and getting some work — some routines we do at home.”