AUBURN, NY - Niomar Gomez tossed a gem his last time out against Mahoning Valley - which happened to also be his New York-Penn League debut with the Doubledays. He tossed six scoreless innings while allowing just one run to jump the Scrappers in the Pinckney Division standings for first
AUBURN, NY - Niomar Gomez tossed a gem his last time out against Mahoning Valley - which happened to also be his New York-Penn League debut with the Doubledays. He tossed six scoreless innings while allowing just one run to jump the Scrappers in the Pinckney Division standings for first place on August 16th.
This time out, however, Gomez couldn't replicate those results. The Doubledays' 19-year-old starter was knocked for three runs - two earned - over five innings in his home debut at Falcon Park. He allowed eight hits in Auburn's 4-1 loss to Mahoning Valley, putting the Scrappers within a half-game of the division lead.
His first run was unearned as what would have been a routine unassisted put out by Jamori Blash bounced under his glove and into right field to but Hosea Nelson on first base in the second inning. Nelson scooted to second on a stolen base and scored on a double by Angel Lopez. Lopez scored on a single the following at-bat to give the Scrappers an early 2-0 lead.
With Mahoning Valley's offense running on all cylinders after recording their third run of the game in the third inning, Scrappers starter Justin Garza was going nine up, nine down against the Doubledays to start the game. The Doubledays got their first hit to lead off the fourth inning with a Cody Wilson single, but he was promptly removed from the basepaths following a double play the next at bat.
Chandler Day replaced Gomez after five and put up spectacular results in relief. The Vanderbilt product through three innings of scoreless - and hitless - ball to keep the Doubledays within striking distance, especially after Auburn broke up the shutout in the seventh. A two-out rally started by an Israel Pineda single gave Auburn their first run of the night. After advancing to second on a throwing error by the shortstop, "Pumbaa" scored on a single from Jacob Rhinesmith to make it a 3-1 game. The Scrappers tacked on an insurance run in the ninth inning to ultimately seal the win.
The Doubledays will be back in action Wednesday at 6:30PM for an attempt to salvage the series against the Scrappers.
