WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Carlos Castillo collected his first three-hit game of the season, belting a homer along the way, as the Cutters bested the Scrappers 7-4 on Wednesday night at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
Castillo opened his big night with his first home run of the season, a 387-foot shot to left, scoring Marcus Brodil, to give the Cutters a 2-1 lead. It was Castillo’s first home run of the season.
Vantrel Reed added to the Williamsport lead with a two-out single to left, chasing home TJ Racherbaumer, upping the lead to 3-1.
Castillo was quick to strike again, ripping a two-out, two-run single into left-center to score Safea Villaruz-Mauai and Brodil in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The tallies made it 5-2 Williamsport.
Brad Rudis took advantage of the support, delivering five strong innings. The right-hander allowed two runs and scattered six hits in the start. Rudis set a season-high, striking out seven Scrappers enroute to his second win.
Mahoning Valley picked up two runs in the top of the 6th inning against David White, but Jackson Mayo grabbed one right back with a RBI single in the bottom half of the frame, scoring Marquis Jackson to make it 6-4 Williamsport.
The Cutters shortstop wasn’t done, reaching on a seeing-eye-single to lead off the 7th. Castillo took off on a pitch, which was bunted down by Racherbaumer. Castillo motored into 3rd base without a throw. Castillo scored moments later on a wild pitch, giving the Cutters a 7-4 lead.
The combination of Jared Ure, Jed Boyle and Jax Howard provided 3-2/3 innings of scoreless relief to bring home the win.
Howard induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play to secure his second save of the season, running the Cutters current win streak to four-straight games.
Williamsport aims for the series sweep of the Scrappers on Thursday night. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m. from Journey Bank Ballpark.
Cutters Carvings: Carlos Castillo has collected five hits in the series (5-8)… Marcus Brodil drew four walks in the win, the most by a Crosscutter this season… Brad Rudis has not allowed a walk over his last 11 inning pitched, striking out 12 batters…
