Archive for August, 2009

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers returned to Niles to open a four-game homestand.  The Scrappers got a great start from Vidal Nuno and held off Batavia to take a 2-1 verdict and remain in first place in the New York Penn League for the 28th day in a row.

Ben Carlson (pictured) hit a bomb over everything and into the right field parking lot to give the Scrappers a 1-0 lead.  Jason Smit then walked and stole second.  Smit scored the Scrappers second run when Jordan Henry hit into an apparent double play, but, Batavia shortstop Ryan Jackson floated his throw over the head of the first baseman allowing Smit to score from second.

Cory Burns had a shaky ninth giving up a run on a bases loaded double play.  Burns was able to escape without further harm to preserve the victory for Nuno and garner a save.

“We weren’t expecting to get that many inning out of him [Nuno] tonight.  We put him in the rotation, he has a spot there now.  We have to work on building his pitch count”, said Scrappers Manager Travis Fryman.

Ben Carlson talked about his long home run after the game, “I had two strikes on me and was actually looking to go the other way.  He [Batavia starter Chris Corrogan] came inside for the first time all night and I just kind of reacted and hit it good enough to go out.”

The Scrappers continue the weekend homestand tonight at Eastwood Field.

Smit-O-Meter:  1-2, BB, SB (7), R, Currently Batting .286

Man, when it rains, it pours.  It has been pouring in Cleveland all week.  Victor Martinez was sent packing by the Indians Friday.  In return, they failed to obtain Clay Buchholz, the prized pospect.  Instead they took a chance on potential with Justin Masterson and a couple of bowls of clam chowder. 

What can only be considered as weird, Saturday is Victor Martinez bobblehead giveaway night, in Cleveland, where Martinez used to play.  Maybe the front office can schedule CC Sabathia bobblehead night for September.  People will want the Martinez dolls, but you don’t go to McDonald’s and order a Whopper too often, do you?

The Indians trades are getting mixed reviews.  Some experts are saying that they did a wonderful job of stocking the cupboard with potential hurlers.  They traded one pitcher and got back nine in the three trades.  Other experts are ridiculing the front office for following the Pirates formula of finishing in the bottom five in MLB’s win column, but in the top five in MLB’s profit margin column.

Victor Martinez had his heart broken by the trade.  He cried as he hugged teammates and said his goodbyes.  He felt a loyalty that players need to become callous to in today’s economy.  I hate the fact that the Indians drafted him as a 17-year old and just kicked him to the curb so they can save a few bucks. 

The Pirates five-year rebulding plan has been in motion for 17 years now.  It still has not worked.  Being sandwiched halfway between Pittsburgh and Cleveland is annoying as a baseball fan right now.  Anyway, be one of the 20,000 in attendance at Progressive Field tomorrow and grab yourself a Victor Martinez Cleveland Indians bobblehead doll.