NILES - There was both good news and bad news Wednesday for a handful of Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
The good news came early in the day when five players were named to the American League roster for the New York-Penn League All-Star game next Tuesday at Eastwood Field. The players include infielders Joe Wendle, and Joe Sever, pitchers Jacob Lee and Luis DeJesus and catcher Charlie Valerio.
The bad news?
The newly-crowned all-stars experienced a rough night when the Scrappers fell to Williamsport 6-0 in front of 2,121 fans at Eastwood Field. The loss drops the Scrappers' record to 23-26, and extends their losing streak to five.
Williamsport, which owns the second-worst record in the NY-PL, lifts its record to 17-33.
Wendle, Valerio and Sever were a combined 2 of 11.
DeJesus (4-1), who earlier this week was named NY-PL Player of the Week, suffered his first loss of the season. He worked five innings, giving up four runs on six hits. He entered the game with a 1.41 earned run average, second best in the league.
Lee, a reliever, didn't appear in the game.
"I really had a bad night. I wasn't hitting my spots and I was leaving the ball up," DeJesus said. "It was just a bad day. I need to clear my mind and get ready for the next start."
After retiring the first five batters of the game in easy fashion, DeJesus ran into two-out trouble in the second. He issued a walk, then consecutive singles to the bottom three hitters of the Williamsport lineup. Gustavo Gonzalez and Tyler Greene plated runs in the inning.
"I let the ump get into my head a little tonight, and that's not like me," DeJesus said. "I felt like I got squeezed a little on the walk. But you have to put that behind you and not let it bother you once you face the next batter."
The Crosscutters extended their lead to 3-0 in the fourth on a Mitch Walding sacrifice fly, which followed a Yan Carlos Olmo leadoff triple. They scored their fourth run off DeJesus in the fourth on Cameron Perkins RBI double.
Williamsport scored additional single runs in the sixth and seventh. Chace Numata hit his first home run of the season. Zack Taylor then capped the scoring with an RBI double.
The Scrappers collected seven hits, but left 10 runners on base - including seven in scoring position.
"We had our chances, but we just couldn't string anything together," Wendle said. "Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the opposition. Their pitchers were doing a good job of keeping us off-balance.
"We're struggling at the plate, but we've been in a funk before and we've bounced back."
The Scrappers begin a four-game road trip tonight which will take them to Batavia and Auburn.
TOP DOGS: Five Scrappers were named to the New York-Penn League All Star roster, which was released on Wednesday. They include Joe Wendle, Joe Sever, Jacob Lee, Luis DeJesus and Charlie Valerio.
IN THE DOGHOUSE: Scrappers leadoff hitter Jairo Kelly struck out the first four time he went to the plate, and ended the night 0 for 5.
BARK OF THE NIGHT: "I let the ump get into my head a little tonight, and that's not like me." Scrappers starter Luis DeJesus.
KIBBLES N BITS: The Scrappers will have plenty of opportunities to gain ground on first-place Auburn. Beginning Saturday, the two teams play 10 times during a 22-day span. ... Williamsport entered Wednesday's game with a 4.75 team ERA, worse in the league. ... The Scrappers are averaging 3,108 fans per home game.
STADIUM SCRAPS: The Scrappers play just 12 more home games this season. They return home next Wednesday to begin a six-game set. The final homestand of the year begins Aug. 27 and runs through Sept. 1.
