Brooklyn Cyclones: Trying to Unseat Lowell Spinners from Wild Card Perch

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Edward L. LeLacheur Park 

Lowell, Massachussetts

Game Called

Saturday's series opener against the Lowell Spinners at LaLacheur Park is postponed do to rain.

Recent storm activity is a clear indication the dog days of baseball are upon us.  For Brooklyn that means seizing upon upcoming opportunities set to present themselves over their final 22 games of the regular season.

Six of those games will be against the first place Hudson Valley Renegades who the Cyclones presently trail in the McNamara Division standings by 3.5 games.  Brooklyn must also fend off equally tough Staten Island who they lead by two games, with three more against them yet to play.  That's nine games remaining against their primary competition with little margin for error.

In the Wild Card race, Brooklyn trails the Auburn Doubledays by 1.5 games, and are just one-half game behind the Lowell Spinners, therefore adding a sense of urgency to this weekend's series.  They have no games scheduled against Auburn.

The Cyclones have not qualified for the post-season since 2013.  Two years later they post their first ever losing, and haven't had a winning season since.  Last season is Edgardo Alfonzo's first as manager, who has them playing competitively with a 29-25 record.

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Six players will represent the Brooklyn Cyclones in this year's New York-Penn League All-Star game.

Standout pitcher Jaison Vilera leads the New York-Penn League with five victories versus just one loss with a league leading 1.43 ERA.  He also leads with 63 strikeouts through 50.1 innings pitched, and is second with a 0.87 WHiP.

Billy Oxford is tied for the league lead with Vilera with five victories all in relief.  He owns a 1.80 ERA over 17 appearances and 30 innings pitched, and a 1.30 WHiP.  Fellow reliever Yeudy Colon is 3-2 with a 1.18 ERA and two saves.He has 26 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched too o along with a 1.15 WHiP.

Outfielder Ross Adolph is slashing .261/.326/.425 with two home runs, 21 RBI, and seven stolen bases.  His fellow outfielder Wagner Lagrange is slashing .291/.370/.352, but with seven home runs and 30 RBI.  Second baseman Carlos Cortes is slashing .284/.349/.422, with three home runs and 19 RBI.

The New York-Penn League All-Start Game is scheduled for Aug 14, at Medlar Field, home of the College State Spikes.