Figure this one out… The Mahoning Valley Scrappers tied the mark of futility with their tenth straight loss Friday, a 2-1 setback to Tri-City.  It is the tenth loss in a row for the Scrappers tying the all-time consecutive loss record set in 2001.

Here comes the twist, attendance is up about 400 fans a game this season.  Credit Scrappers GM Jordan Taylor and staff for keeping their nose to the grindstone and performing.  It is hard to put bodies in seats when the home team has a batting average of .185.

Friday night the people showed up to enjoy fireworks after the game.  They showed up to admire Luke Holko’s progress as the youngster threw out the opening pitch.  They showed up for the mystery ball auction.  Saturday they will show up for Victor Martinez bobblehead night.  Martinez, a Tiger these days, was a Scrapper in those days.

They had a chance.  Martin Cervenka started the inning with a single.  Robel Garcia was called upon to pinch-run for Cervenka.  Garcia moved to second on a Josh McAdams sac bunt.  A wild pitch advanced Garcia to third.  With two outs, Claudio Bautista came to bat with the tying run 90 feet away.  Unfortunately, Bautista struck out to end the game – it’s how things go during a ten game losing streak.

Luis Lugo is having a decent year. Most of the Scrappers starting pitchers have fared better than the other facets of the team.  Lugo pitched five complete innings for the Scrappers giving up two runs, one earned.  Lugo threw 78 pitches, 47 were strikes.  He lowered his ERA to 2.08.  He, again, got no run support.

James Ramsey reached first trying to move the runner with a bunt for Tri-City.  Conrad Gregor then walked to make it first and second with one out.  Michael Martinez hit a ball to Scrappers shortstop Juan Herrera threw away, allowing Ramsey to score and put the Valley Cats ahead, 1-0.  Ryan Dineen then hit a ground rule double to plate Gregor.

Lugo then clamped down to shut Tri-City out for the rest of his start.  Manuel Carmona started the sixth and pitched two scoreless innings for the Scrappers.  Ben Heller finished the game for Mahoning Valley.

For Tri-City, Michael Feliz was tough on the Scrappers bats.  Every time Mahoning Valley would get someone on base, the Scrappers seemed to squander the chance to score.  Feliz threw 77 pitches in his five innings of work to get the win.

Nellie Rodriguez took some frustration out with a high blast that cleared the left field wall in the eighth, but the Scrappers could not muster more in the loss.

So the all-time mark in futility has been tied with ten consecutive losses.  I believe in Ted Kubiak.  I believe him when he says that these kids are out there trying every night.  I believe that the people will keep coming no matter how many losses in a row.

Come Saturday….  Victor Martinez bobble heads (below) are limited to the first 1,000 fans, and I would bet my bottom dollar that Taylor and the Scrappers staff can keep ’em coming.