NILES — The Mahoning Valley Scrappers experienced a stormy first week of the season, with three of their first five games canceled due to inclement weather.

Warm and sunny weather greeted fans at Eastwood Field on Tuesday when the Scrappers returned home to host the Trenton Thunder in the firsts of a three-game series.

Unfortunately for the home fans, the Thunder provided gloomy results, as they defeated the Scrappers 5-3.

The Scrappers scored the game’s first run in the third inning. Khi Holiday reached on a one-out single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Holiday then scored on a two-out base hit by Cardell Thibodeaux.

After tying the game in the fifth, the Thunder took the lead in the top of the seventh thanks to a leadoff hit by Justin Fogel, followed by a trio of wild pitches which plated Fogel.

In the bottom of the seventh the Scrappers scored a pair of runs without a hit to take a 3-2 lead. Clayton Johnson issued a walk and hit a batter to start the frame. Both runners then scored on an RBI groundout by JC Vanek and an RBI flyout off the bat of Max Johnson.

The Thunder took the lead for good in the eighth on a Michael Whooley two-run home run. Jaden Sheffield – son of former MLB star Gary Shefflield – knocked in the Thunder’s fifth run of the game.

Scrappers starter Chase Frey worked five innings, surrendering just one run on four hits. He recorded four strikeouts.

In the Scrappers’ season-opener last Wednesday, Frey earned the win with five innings of shutout ball. In that game he surrendered just three hits.

The Scrappers and Thunder continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m.