First Place Brooklyn Cyclones Keep Connecticut Tigers at Bay

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

THE DODD

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Connecticut Tigers

FROM

Thomas Dodd Memorial Stadium

NORWICH

Brooklyn's road trip continues through Connecticut, where the Cyclones begin a three game weekend series against the Tigers on Saturday. 

The home team opens the scoring straightaway on right fielder Kona Quiggle's RBI hit in the first.  However, Cyclones pitching would yield no more.  Starter Matt Cleveland collaborates with three relievers on a one unearned run seven hit performance with just three walks and seven strikeouts.  The Cyclones score four times in the fifth with runs batted in from Chandler Avant (recently shifted from Columbia Fireflies) and Wilmer Reyes.  Reyes would later cap off the scoring with a two run home run in the eighth en route to the 6-1 game one victory at the Dodd.

LEAPFROGGING THE RENEGADES

Wednesday's rain out at Dutchess County ballpark forces the formerly first place Renegades and Cyclones to play a Thursday double-header.  The teams split the day with the Cyclones taking game one by a 3-2 final.  Jose Mena hits a one out home run in the seventh to put Brooklyn ahead, and P.J. Conlon closes out Hudson Valley in the bottom half of the frame for his first save of the season. 

In game two Brooklyn takes a 6-5 lead into the final frame but are unable to close out the game.  Cyclone reliever Hunter Parsons yields a lead-off walk, two hits and surrenders the tying run.  He then unleashes a wild pitch and intentionally walks the bases loaded before surrendering the game winning hit off the bat of Renegade pinch-hitter Mason Mallard. 

In Friday's rubber game the Cyclones get a run batted in from center fielder Jake Mangum, and two more from shortstop Wilmer Reyes.  Starter Daniel Goggin is roughed up for two runs on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts through 2.2 innings of work.  The bullpen however joins for 6.1 innings of scoreless of five hit ball with just one walk and nine strikeouts.  Matt Mullenbach pitches the final two innings in earning his third save of the season.

*         *         *

The McNamara Division race remains tight as a tourniquet.  By virtue of one less loss as of close of business Saturday the Cyclones maintain a precarious hold on first place over the Hudson Valley Renegades whom trail by just one-half game.  The Aberdeen Ironbirds are one game out.  And a mere 3.5 games is all that separate the last place Staten Island Yankees from Brooklyn.