While starter Carlos Romero and the rest of the Doubledays’ arms held the Scrappers to just two runs over 11 innings, Auburn’s offense was unable to provide enough run support to secure the win. Mahoning Valley (7-3) secured a walkoff, 2-1 win over the Doubledays, dropping their record to 2-7.
The Doubledays’ lone run came in the third inning with some help from Mahoning Valley pitcher Luis Valdez . Leadoff hitter Rafael Bautista found himself on second base thanks to a wild pitch, and a fielder’s choice brought him home after Valdez gunned a soft-hit comebacker past the first baseman trying to throw out Jose Sanchez. Sanchez advanced himself into scoring position after the error, but was stranded after three ground ball outs.
Despite their less than perfect third inning and starting pitcher Jhonneyver Gutierrez leaving the game after recording only two outs, Scrappers pitchers combined for eight scoreless innings and only one hit the rest of the way.
Mahoning Valley’s offense hardly fared any better, however. Auburn pitcher went tit for tat with the Scrappers’ into the 11th inning, with Romero allowing just one run in five innings, and Gilberto Chu and Jairon Peguero combining for 3.2 innings of two-hit, shutout ball.
Pearson McMahan took over for the Doubledays with one out in the ninth inning and worked into the 11th. A sacrifice bunt, however, put the Scrappers’ placed runner at second base on third, and a wild pitch gave Mahoning Valley the walk-off win.
The Doubledays will return to action Tuesday at Falcon Park against the Crosscutters. First pitch is at 7 PM, with the action being broadcast live on FingerLakes1.com Radio as well as milb.streamguys1.com and the TuneIn app.
By Chris Valentino Tril / Auburn Doubledays
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