Not Enough as Muckdogs Fall to Scrappers 9-6

Posted by Mollie Radzinski on July 12, 2009 - 9:18pm

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Batavia (12-12) scored as many runs as they had all series, but it was not enough as they lost 9-6 to Mahoning Valley (16-8).

The Muckdogs got on board first in the 1st when Devin Goodwin doubled and came in to score on a base hit by Alan Ahmady. After the Scrappers tied it up in the next inning, Batavia answered right back with two of their own. Ryde Rodriguez led off the inning with a single and Niko Vasquez followed with a triple down the right field line. Jario Martinez then had a sacrifice fly to get himself an RBI.

However, the 3-1 lead was short-lived, as Mahoning Valley scored three runs in both the 3rd and 4th innings and two more in the 7th.

Batavia also plated two in the 7th. Luis De La Cruz got himself a base hit before Beau Riportella smashed his second home run of the season. They looked to rally back in the 9th. LaCurtis Mayes pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout and two groundouts to start the momentum. In the bottom of the inning, De La Cruz reached and moved to second on errors. He then advanced again on a passed ball and came home on a Riportella single. But with two outs already in the inning, that was all they could muster.

Michael Blazek (2-3, 3.86) had a rough start to get himself the loss. He went three and a third innings letting in seven runs, although only five were earned, on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Daniel Calhoun threw three innings of his own with two runs, four hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

Vasquez and Riportella both went 2-for-4 on the night. Vasquez had a triple, a run and a RBI. Riportella had a homerun, one run and three RBI.

Tomorrow the league has a day off before Batavia travels to Hudson Valley for a three game set.

Mollie
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Posted by Bea McManis on July 13, 2009 - 10:59am

We didn't make it to the game last night. Bob ended up in the hospital. He's okay now, but it was sort of scary for a few hours.
Sorry they lost.
Keep your eye on Beau Riportella and Ahmady. I bet both of them move up before the end of the season.

Posted by Howard Owens on July 13, 2009 - 11:23am

We should start a poll -- who will get called up first, Riportella, Ahmady, Ryde Rodriguez or Xavier Scruggs.

My money would be on Rodriquez and/or Scruggs.

Riportella is playing better this year, but he needs to keep it going a little longer and continue to work on plate discipline. Ahmady is an important prospect. I think the Cardinals will take their time with his development.

Posted by Peter O'Brien on July 13, 2009 - 11:33am

Call ups are rare in all sports when its based on performance alone. Usually it will be dependent on an injury or release of a player. You can do as good as anyone and never move up till next season because your position doesn't open up.

Posted by Gabor Deutsch on July 13, 2009 - 11:37am

I totally agree with Peter on Call Ups.

Posted by Howard Owens on July 13, 2009 - 11:43am

In player development, especially in baseball, a team could also make room for a prospect by shifting one player to another position, or releasing or demoting a player to make room for one the team believes is essential to get to the next level to continue proper development.

Posted by Peter O'Brien on July 13, 2009 - 11:57am

You would still need to bench or dump someone to open a space up Howard. I'm all for promotions that are deserved but as a coach would you move your healthy starters to make room for a rookie regardless of how accomplished he is at a lower level?

Posted by Bea McManis on July 13, 2009 - 12:15pm

Posted by Bea McManis on July 13, 2009 - 10:59am

Keep your eye on Beau Riportella and Ahmady. I bet both of them move up before the end of the season.

Sorry, I gave the opinion. You would know that it would be wrong.
I didn't realize it was up to the coach to decide to move a player up. I would think (and be wrong) that the organization would have a say in whether or not they want to move a player or whether a player would best serve them elsewhere.

Posted by Peter O'Brien on July 13, 2009 - 12:23pm

Quit victimizing yourself. You were not the subject of this discussion nor was your opinion. I made a statement from my watching of minor leagues sports. Injuries will most likely occur and someone will be pulled up. But merit only call ups are very rare. Deal with the truth and stop crying about every post I make that may have something to do with what you wrote.

Posted by Howard Owens on July 13, 2009 - 1:14pm

Peter, if the director of player development decided that Ahmady needed to become the starting 3B in Quad Cities, he would become the starting 3B. Not that I'm saying the director has Czar-like power -- there's consolations that take place, but unless the potentially displaced player is also a highly rated prospect, the top-rated prospect (especially one with a big contract) is going to get the promotion when its time to be promoted. They'll find a way to make room for him.

But the minor leagues are full of players who are not prospects and are easily displaced, and of course, injuries are common.

And there are times when prospects get rushed because of injuries, and there are times when progress is slow for a prospect because another prospect is doing well at the level above.