The Doubledays scored 21 runs over their first three games, out-slugging the Muckdogs in two of their three matchups to make up for their lackluster pitching to start the season.Today, however, the Doubledays (2-5) find themselves with their fourth straight loss while just narrowly escaping their third straight shutout, losing
The Doubledays scored 21 runs over their first three games, out-slugging the Muckdogs in two of their three matchups to make up for their lackluster pitching to start the season.
Today, however, the Doubledays (2-5) find themselves with their fourth straight loss while just narrowly escaping their third straight shutout, losing to the Scrappers (6-1), 4-1.
All while recording just one hit.
The once-hot Doubledays have cooled off significantly since hitting the road. Jamori Blash, batting cleanup for Auburn after opening the season as the hottest player in the New York-Penn League, is currently in an 0-for-15 slump. And Auburn's starting pitching has had nothing to show after three straight games of solid work on the mound.
Mahoning Valley's starting pitcher Luis Oviedo dominated the Auburn lineup, striking out seven batters in six innings of work in his second start of the season. His only blemish of the night was allowing a two-run single to Juan Pascal, which ended up being the only Doubleday hit of the game.
Auburn starter Yonathan Ramirez, who allowed seven runs (five earned) in four innings during his first start of the season against Batavia, had an improved showing this time around. He went five innings while allowing three runs on the night - just two earned - with a couple of strikeouts.
All three of those runs came in the third inning when the Scrappers rallied off of consecutive fielding errors by Blash and Ricardo Mendez to put Tre Gantt in scoring position. Tyler Freeman knocked him in with an RBI single, and Freeman scored a run after being knocked in by Mitch Reeves. Elvis Perez promptly singled on a line drive to left field to bring in the third run of the inning.
While the Doubledays had nothing going for them through the first six innings, they had a chance to blow up the game in the seventh. Righty Jordan Scheftz, who entered the game for Oviedo, led off the inning by hitting a batter and allowing a walk before nailing Jamori Blash to load the innings.
Catcher Israel Pineda had a chance to make some noise with the bases loaded and 0 outs but was unable to deliver that big hit Auburn desperately needed, grounding into a double play. The twin killing did bring in a run, but the rally ended after Scheftz struck out Juan Pascal to end the inning.
The Doubledays return to action tomorrow for Game 2 of their series against the Scrappers with first pitch at 7:05 PM.
