Scrappers Scrape-By Renegades

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY- Mahoning Valley got seven innings of shutout ball from starter Zach Plesac and reliever Eli Morgan, while designated hitter Samad Taylor homered and scored twice as the Scrappers defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades 5-2 Sunday evening at Dutchess Stadium. As a result, the Scrappers took two of three games from the Renegades.
Mahoning Valley got the ball rolling the fourth by scoring two runs. Taylor started the inning with a double to left, then scored when third baseman Nolan Jones roped a double of his own to center to give Mahoning Valley the lead. After a strikeout and groundout moved Jones to third with two out, rightfielder Clark Scolamiero laced a single to right to make the score 2-0.
The Scrappers added to their lead in the fifth as with two out and no one on, centerfielder Austen Wade drew a walk. Taylor then stepped up and drilled a two-run homer just inside the leftfield foul pole to up Mahoning Valley's lead to 4-0.
They added another run in the seventh. Catcher Gianpaul Gonzalez grounded a single to center to start the inning. After he moved to second on a groundout, Gonzalez came in to score on a double down the rightfield line, giving Mahoning Valley a 5-0 lead.
The Renegades got two runs back in the eighth. Second baseman Deion Tansel started the inning with a line drive single to center. After a balk moved him to second, Matt Eureste beat out relief pitcher Randy Valladares on an infield single to first to put runners at the corners with no one out. After a fly out, shortstop Taylor Walls fouled out to second on a great diving catch down the shallow rightfield railing by Clement. Tansel tagged at third and scored on the play. Eureste moved to second on a wild pitch before centerfielder Emilio Gustave grounded a slowly hit ball to third. Jones fired the ball wide of first and toward the Renegades dugout, which allowed Eureste to score from second on the throwing error. Gustave was credited with an infield single, but no RBI.
After that, designated hitter Brendan McKay struck out to end the inning and the Renegades were set aside in the ninth by Scrappers closer Cesar Ventura.
Hudson Valley had seven hits, including three singles by Gustave. Walls had the lone RBI and runs were scored by Eureste and Tansel. The Scrappers got eight hits, and were led by Taylor's 2-4 performance. He finished the game with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored.
The win went to Morgan (2-0) who tossed three innings of one-hit ball while striking out six. He followed Plesac who started the game with four scoreless innings on two hits and three strikeouts. The loss went to Renegades starter Austin Franklin (1-1) after the right-hander allowed four earned runs on five hits in six frames. He also struck out seven batters. Ventura's save was his second of the year. He allowed a hit and a walk in his lone inning of work.     
Hudson Valley now hits the road for a six-game road trip. Their first stop will be a three-game series at Vermont as they take on the Lake Monsters beginning tomorrow. First-pitch is slated for 7:05. Renegades righthander Jhonleider Salinas (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will take on fellow righty Oscar Tovar (1-1, 2.79 ERA) of the Lake Monsters. The Renegades return home on July 23rd when they take on the Connecticut Tigers in the first of a three-game series. First-pitch is at 7:05 and fireworks will follow the game. Tickets can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.
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