Muckdogs Overcome 5-0 Hole in the First, Defeat the Scrappers 8-7
August 3, 2018 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Batavia Muckdogs News Release
BATAVIA, NY - A five run first inning for Mahoning Valley put Batavia in an early hole, but the Muckdogs were able to fight all the way back to cling to an 8-7 victory.
The Marlins' fifth round pick Chris Vallimont had a tough time getting out of the first inning. He gave up three straight doubles, and then a two-run home run that gave the Mahoning Valley Scrappers a five spot in the first. Tyler Freeman, Mitch Reeves and Hosea Nelson each hit two baggers. Clark Scolamiero drew a walk to set up a two-run homer for Henry Pujols. Just when Batavia thought they were getting out of the inning with a Ronny Dominguez flyout, he was award first base on catcher's interference to keep the marathon inning alive. The ninth batter of the first Tre Gantt lined out to second to finally end the frame.
Batavia did not waste time in their comeback efforts, Brayan Hernandez and Albert Guaimaro both scored in the bottom of the first as a result of a bases loaded walk to Jerar Encarnacion and a Michael Donadio sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 5-2.
JD Osborne kept the comeback hopes alive, and kept the game interesting with a two-run rocket over the right field wall to put the Muckdogs within just one run. His third home run of the season drove in Sean Reynolds, who leads the league in runs scored.
The bullpen for the Muckdogs was able to shut the Scrappers down from the second through the eighth innings. Manuel Rodriguez went four innings of shutout baseball. He struck out a season-high seven batters, the most by any relief pitcher this season.
In the seventh, Batavia finally got in front to complete the comeback. The Muckdogs loaded the bases with one out. Hernandez and Guaimaro advanced to second and third by a Tyler Freeman throwing error, leading to an intentional walk to Reynolds. Everytime that Batavia had been walked this season, the Muckdogs have cashed in. Encarnacion was the batter with the bases loaded. Getting the green light on a 3-0 count, he ripped a single to right-center field to put Batavia in front 6-5.
Insurance came in the bottom of the eighth to score two more runs that would prove to be valuable. Luke Jarvis cranked his second double in as many days. He traded places with Hernandez who hit a double of his own. Albert Guaimaro notched his third hit of the game to score Hernandez and with that, Batavia dropped a total of eight runs against the league's best team.
However, Mahoning Valley would not roll over. A two-run blast from Mitch Reeves made it an 8-7 game, but that would be the final, as Tyler Mitzel was able to finish the ninth inning. Four of the six games that Batavia and Mahoning Valley have played have been decided by one run. Game two of the series is Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Alberto Guerrero is set to square off against Alex Royalty, the Indians eighth round pick.
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