Posts Tagged ‘Mahoning Valley Scrappers’

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers won the first game in Williamsport against the State College Spikes, 5-4, on Sunday.  The win puts the Scrappers at 7-3.  There are two more games to be played against the Spikes before the Scrappers come home to host the Williamsport Crosscutters on Wednesday.

Jordan Henry started the game with a double for the Scrappers. He would later score on a Greg Folgia RBI single.  Folgia would also score on an RBI groundout from Jason Smit.

The Spikes responded with three runs off of Scrapper starter Marty Popham in the bottom of the first to hold a 3-2 lead.  After both teams scored a run in the sixth to knot the contest at four runs apiece, Mahoning Valley scored in the top of the 7th inning to tae a 5-4 lead.  The go-ahead run was a result of a Smit double who later scored on a Chun Chen clutch RBI single.

Kaimi Mead worked a scoreless two innings to record his first save for the Scrappers.

On a beautiful night for baseball, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers saw their undefeated streak end at five games.  The Scrappers had chances but could not get a big hit when they needed one, ultimately losing to the State College Spikes, 2-1.

State College took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Pat Irvine RBI single.  With only one out and the bases loaded, Scrapper starter Anthony Ryan escaped without further damage.  Jose Hernandez hit a sac fly for the Spikes in the 3rd inning driving home Tony Sanchez.

Mahoning Valley answered with a Jason Smit RBI single driving in Kyle Bellows who doubled to open the inning.  With men on first and third, the Scrappers could only push their lone run across the plate as Tyler Cox struck out Kyle Smith and Rafael Vera looking to end the inning.

Scrappers Coach Travis Fryman knew the streak couldn’t last forever, “They made some great plays on defense and didn’t beat themselves.  We just couldn’t get a timely hit when we needed one all night.”

State College showacsed the Pirates #1 Draft Pick, Tony Sanchez, behind the plate.  Watching Sanchez throw a ball to second when the pitcher is done warming up is a treat.  Sanchez’s ball tails left to right a bit.  He blocked pitches in the dirt all night and moves with catlike quickness from his stance.

The Scrappers return home on July 1 to face Williamsport.  First pitch is set for 7:00 at Cafaro Field.   

I am excited to announce that I have been media credentialed to cover the Mahoning Valley Scrappers for their 2009 season.  Big deal you say?  Actually it is.  With the growth of my websites hits multiplying by 5 in the last two months, this type of forum is perfect for coverage of minor league baseball.

Anyone who has followed the Mahoning Valley Thunder football team on this site has learned about the players, gotten game reviews, and had inside information through my profile features.  I plan on doing Scrapper profiles as well as game summaries and can post some interviews here as well.

Victor Martinez (above) was a Scrapper.  There are several others who played for this very team now playing in the majors.  Because it is a Cleveland Indians farm club, many current Indians played for the Scrappers.  There are also plenty of others who were once in the Indians farm system and were traded or left playing in te big league as well.

Current Indians players who were once Mahoning Valley Scrappers include : Trevor Crowe, Ben Francisco, Ryan Garko, David Huff, Aaron Laffey, Jensen Lewis, Scott Lewis, Chris Gimenez, and Tony Sipp.

Players on other teams include: CC Sabathia (Yankees), Josh Bard (Nationals), Ryan Church (Mets), Chad Durbin (Phillies), Kevin Kouzmanoff (Padres), Joe Inglett and Brian Tallet (Blue Jays).

An early notable off to a hot start is Bo Greenwell, 18 year-old son of former all-star Mike Greenwell. 

The Scrappers, much like the Thunder, are a very family-friendly organization.  Although they run a dollar beer night on Thursday and have a Playmate (Lisa Neeld) in future promotions, the Scrappers really aim for quality family entertainment.

Someone on this years team will make it to the big leagues, nobody knows who…  But by attending a Scrappers game, you can say you saw them when…