The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: Brooklyn Cyclones: Hansel Robles Shuts Out Renegades; Game Two In Hudson Valley

From the desk of: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

2012

New York Penn League Playoffs

Division Semi Finals

FRIDAY FINAL:

Hudson Valley 0

BROOKLYN 4

Brooklyn Leads Series 1-0

Game Two @ Hudson Valley

*Game Three @ Hudson Valley

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

Seaside Sluggers Take Opening Game

Behind Hansel Robles Gem.

Hansel Robles struck out the first Renegade batter he faced. Hudson Valley's number two batter ruined the no-hitter post haste with an unmanly single, but was erased when the following batter grounded into a 1-6-3 double play. Hansel cruised from there. Over the next eight innings, all Hudson Valley managed were three more scattered hits. Hansel Robles additionally issued no walks. In fact, the New York Penn League regular season leader in WHiP went on to retire the side in order in the second, third, fourth, sixth, and ninth innings of Friday night's playoff opener.

Hansel Robles warms up in right field with catcher, Kevin Plawecki,

before heading into the bullpen with pitching coach Marc Valdez.

First Pitch.

After striking out the first batter of the game as noted, Robles went on to strikeout nine more giving him ten for the night. Brooklyn's hurler basically turned in one of the more dominating playoff performances you will ever see a professional pitcher have at any level. And he did so against the team which outpaced the Cyclones for the division title. His effort was also one for the books. For Friday evening, Hansel Robles brokered a one game series lead against the Hudson Valley Renegades, after pitching the first complete game shutout in Brooklyn Cyclones playoff history.

Brandon Nimmo led off the bottom half of the first inning with a single. Next up, Dimas Ponce got plunked in the back by Hudson Valley starter, Jesse Hahn. With runners now on first and second, Phillip Evans grounded into a double play. Brandon Nimmo advanced to third base on the play. Nimmo then scored on a Jayce Boyd single.

In the second inning, the Renegades defense faltered. Stefan Sabol led off with a single then advanced to second base on a throwing error. On Juan Carlos Gamboa's attempted sacrifice bunt, Hudson Valley's starting pitcher, Jesse Hahn, fielded, then also threw an errant ball to first base setting up runners at the corners. After Eudy Pina struck out, Jorge Rivero doubled to score Sabol, and send Gamboa to third. Jesse Hahn then issued an intentional walk to Brandon Nimmo loading 'em up, thus setting a force play at any base. Brooklyn thwarted that strategy. A Dimas Ponce single scored Gamboa. With the bases still loaded, Phillip Evans stepped in and punched another single. The bases again remained loaded for Jayce Boyd and Kevin Plawecki. But they combined to record outs two and three, ending the rally. With three runs in however, the Cyclones led by a 4-0 score. Afterwards, the game was all about Hansel Robles and his mastery over the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Brandon Nimmo leads of game with a single; left.

Dimas Ponce takes his base after getting hit by pitch; right.

With the bases loaded, Phillip Evans set runners in motion again with a second inning single.

The Cyclones are headed to Fishkill, N.Y. where they'll now play the Renegades on their turf. If weather holds up, Game Two is slated for Saturday evening. If Game Three becomes necessary, Hudson Valley will host.

The Cyclones improved their all-time playoff record to a 12-17 mark. This was Brooklyn's eighth overall victory against the Renegades this season, versus just three losses. Game Two's pitching match up will pit Brooklyn's Luis Mateo against Hudson Valley's Jeff Ames. Luis Mateo was this season's New York Penn League strikeout king. Renegades hurler Jeff Ames was one of only four NYPL pitchers to maintain a year long ERA below two.