Martinelli's Blast Not Enough Against Scrappers
WILLIAMSPORT -- David Martinelli's three-run home run in the bottom of the 4th was not enough as the Crosscutters fell 6-5 in the series opener against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in 10 innings.
Mahoning Valley took advantage of a bumpy start from Cutters starter Bailey Falter, who allowed a pair of runs in the opening frame on a two-run single off the bat Erlin Cerda, that plated Gabriel Mejia and Todd Isaacs to give the Scrappers a 2-0 lead.
The two RBI were the 34th and 35th of the season.
The Scrappers added another run against Falter in the top half of the 2nd inning on a Todd Isaac's RBI triple to deep left-center that chased home Gabriel Mejia to extend the Scrappers lead to 3-0.
It was the first triple of the season for Isaacs, and it gave him his 15th RBI of the season.
Bailey Falter struggled, allowing three runs, all earned on four hits and three walks while striking out five over three innings. Falter finished the night, throwing 67 pitches, 39 of which were thrown in the 1st inning.
Williamsport was able to get a few runs back in the bottom of the 4th inning against Scrappers reliever Ben Krauth. After back-to-back bunt singles from Juan Luis and Luke Maglich, David Martinelli drilled a 3-2 offering over the wall in right field.
Martinelli's home run was his 4th home run of the season and his first since July 12th against the Batavia Muckdogs. He retook the team-lead with his 24th RBI, as it brought the Cutters within 4-3 in the 4th.
Williamsport drew even in the bottom of the 5th inning, taking advantage of a Krauth throwing error allowing Luis Espiritu to reach 3rd base with one out. Juan Luis delivered a two-out, two-strike single through the right side, scoring Espiritu to tie the game 4-4.
The Cutters were able to take the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning, thanks to a RBI single by catcher Henri Lartigue, who snapped a 0-for-28 slump with the RBI knock. It was the 15th RBI of the season for the Cutters backstop.
Julian Garcia was strong again in long relief, as he finished the night allowing one earned run, two walks and three hits while striking out six Scrappers batters. Garcia has struck out 14 batters over his last two relief appearances.
Silento Sayles lead off the 8th inning with a solo home run over the left-center wall off of Will Hibbs to tie the game at 5-5. It was the 2nd home run of the season for Sayles and the first long ball allowed by Hibbs this season.
Hibbs entered the top of the 10th, allowing the first three batters to reach base before being lifted for Jon Hennigan.
Jake Goihl welcomed Hennigan to the game by flying out to left field, deep enough to score pinch-runner Jorma Rodriguez to give the Scrappers a 6-5 lead.
Hennigan retired the next two batters to leave runners on 2nd and 3rd and give the Cutters a chance in the bottom of the 10th.
Ryan Perez struck out the Cutters in order to earn his 3rd save, and close the book on the Cutters.
Will Hibbs, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 7th inning, ended up taking his 5th blown save of the season while dropping his record to 3-4 on the season. Hibbs allowed a pair of runs, including his 1st home run, over a season-high 2.2 innings of work.
Williamsport continues their three-game series with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
Cutter Carvings - The win lowers the Cutters elimination number in the Wild Card to just one with the Staten Island win over Connecticut...Mahoning Valley has won the last five games of the series, which is tied 5-5...Cutters fall to 6-5 in extra-inning games this season...