Brooklyn Cyclones Bow to Greensboro

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Greensboro vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 6; GRB 5

II - BKN 9; GRB 0

III - GRB 6; BKN 5

IV - GRB 2; BKN 1

Grasshoppers Win Pitcher's Duel With Late Home Run

The Grasshoppers and Cyclones played a nail-biter on Friday.  Both pitching staffs yielded just four hits and issued minimal bases on balls.  Greensboro batters struck out 13 times while the 'Clones fanned eleven times.  Greensboro starter Jared Jones and Carson Seymour for Brooklyn departed to no decisions.  Jones allowed one run on two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings.  Making his eighth start for Brooklyn, Seymore yielded no runs on two hits and one walk with eleven strikeouts over 6.2 innings pitched.  The game remained a one-run affair through the seventh.  In the top of the eighth, left-hander Andrew Edwards served up a two-run home run hit by shortstop Francisco Acuna from which the Cyclones did not recover.  Greensboro evens their first-ever series on Coney Island at two.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Go Down Looking; Jersey Shore Evens Series

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore; 1-1

I - BRK 1; JS 0

II - JS 3; BRK 2

Cyclones Blink First; Bullpen Outlasted by Jersey Shore

With isolated storms rumbling through Brooklyn, right-hander Jose Butto takes his turn on the slab and is opposed by Adam Leverett for Jersey Shore.  

The Blue Claws open the scoring in the second inning when second baseman Jonathan Guzman takes Jose Butto deep over the left-field wall. 

Leverett makes an early exit after having surrendered one hit with four strikeouts over two scoreless innings pitched.  Jersey southpaw Jhordany Mezquita enters the game in the third.

With two outs and a base runner at first in the fourth, lightning strikes at Coney Island necessitated a game delay.  At roughly 8:18 pm, play resumes, and Jose Butto closes out the top half of the frame.  In the bottom half, Mezquita completes his second scoreless inning in relief of Leverett. 

Jersey Shore manufactures a run in the top of the fifth for a 2-0 lead.  Meanwhile, Brooklyn remains mired with just one hit courtesy of Ronny Mauricio back in the first inning.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, reliever Hunter Parsons enters the fray.  Jose Butto exits on the losing side after yielding an otherwise effective two earned runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts.  But that's where his mates step in, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth to get Butto off the hook.  Blue Claws' Carlos Francisco is tasked with pitching the seventh.  With one out and one on in the eighth, Andrew Edwards enters the game to relieve Hunter Parsons.  Jersey Shore calls on Carlo Reyes to twirl the bottom of the eighth.  With two outs and a runner in scoring position, left field substitution Joe Suozzi strikes out, and into the ninth inning tied at two, they go.

• BOXSCORE

Each team musters just three hits apiece through the first eight innings.

In the top of the ninth, Andrew Edwards issues the dreaded leadoff base on balls.  With one out, manager Blankmeyer is prompted to bring in Mitch Ragan in relief of Edwards.  The move backfires.  With two outs, left fielder Keaton Greenwalt doubles home the go-ahead run.

Jersey Shore's Carlo Reyes climbs the hill for his second inning of relief.  Third baseman Cody Bohanek greets him with a leadoff single.  Unfortunately, Zach Ashford grounds into fan-crushing a 3-6-3 double-play.  Afterwhich, Joe Genord looks at strike three to end the game.

Andrew Edwards takes the loss; Carlos Reyes, the win.

Brooklyn Cyclones Humbled and Held Hitless at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 5-0

I - HVR 9; BRK 7

II - HVR 3; BRK 2

III - HVR 6; BRK 4

IV - HVR 7; BRK 1

V - HVR 5; BRK 0*

*7 inning no-hitter

I'm as short for words as the Cyclones were for hits Saturday against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

BOX GAME ONE - Brooklyn trails 4-0 after the first, then 5-0 through the fifth inning.  The Cyclones tallied their lone run of the game on Luis Gonzalez's home run in the sixth to ruin the shutout.  Hudson Valley scores twice more in the bottom half of the frame en route to a commanding 7-1 victory in game one.  Two Renegades pitchers join together in limiting the Cyclones to just three hits and two walks with ten strikeouts.  Right-hander Mitch Spencer earns the win.  Brooklyn starter Connor Grey surrenders five runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts.  He yields one home run back in Hudson's four-run first.  Shortstop Ronnie Mauricio and Jeremy Vasquez account for Coney Island's only other hits.

BOX GAME TWO - Twenty-six Brooklyn Cyclones step up to the plate.  Five batters draw walks, six different batters strikeout, two of them twice, and not one of them wields a single hit.  Renegades starter Sean Boyle twirls four no-hit/no-run innings, Nick Ernst throws two hitless innings to earn the win in relief of Boyle, and Derek Craft closes out the game with a hitless seventh inning.  Meanwhile, starter Justin Lasko yields five earned runs, including three home runs, five total hits, one walks with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched for the loss.  Southpaw Andrew Edwards records the last two outs of the game.

⚾

• Brooklyn - two games, 51 plate appearances, 44 at-bats, three hits, seven walks, 18 strikeouts.

• According to SNY-TV on Saturday night, the highly touted third baseman Brett Baty is being promoted to the (AA) Binghamton Rumble Ponies. 

Luis Gonzalez started at second base because ...

Just spoke to Cyclones coach Mariano Duncan. Luke Ritter out for about 2 months with broken hemate bone in hand. @BTB_MikeII @JohnMackinAde @ernestdove

— John From Albany (@JohnFromAlbany) July 10, 2021

 

Brooklyn Cyclones Fall In Tenth Inning At Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 2-0

I - HVR 9; BRK 7

II - HVR 3; BRK 2

The Old Extra Inning Second Base Phantom Menace Runner Routine ...

You know what they say; it's not how you start but how you finish.

After going 0 for 5 in yesterday's return to the lineup, Ronny Mauricio opens the scoring in the first with his ninth home run this season.  Cyclone starter Jose Butto allows two runs on five hits, including a home run, and no walks with six strikeouts through five innings pitched.  However, Brooklyn takes him off the hook when Anthony Duplantis' sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth scores Zach Ashford tying the game at two.  

Renegades starter Reid Anderson likewise allows two earned runs on three hits and two walks before departing after six.

The score remains unchanged through the ninth.  Andrew Edwards tosses two scoreless innings in relief of Butto, and Josh Hejka throws a scoreless ninth, and into extra innings, they go at Hudson Valley.

In the top half of the tenth, Brooklyn goes down in order, stranding the go-ahead runner at third.

With the phantom runner on second, Hejka yields a base hit, putting runners on the corners, then intentionally walks the next batter loading the bases.  Renegade catcher Saul Torres follows with a fly ball to center deep enough to score the runner from third.

Game over.

Brooklyn loses their second straight to Hudson Valley and now trails the season series by a 4-10 margin.

Brooklyn Cyclones' Bullpen Cleans Up Own Mess To Secure Victory at Aberdeen

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Aberdeen Ironbirds lead Brooklyn Cyclones; 3-2

I - ABD 7; BKN 3

II - ABD 2; BKN 1

III - BKN 7; ABD 6

IV - ABD 2; BKN 0*

V - BKN 6; ABD 5

*game called bottom 6th

BULLPEN BENDS BUT DOES NOT BREAK

Leading off, Antoine Duplantis opens the game with a single, and with one out Brett Baty likewise singles.  With two outs, the Cyclones execute a rare double steal.  Second baseman Luke Ritter then drives home both Duplantis and Baty.  Afterwhich, Zach Ashford drives home Ritter for a prompt 3-0 lead.

Duplantis doubles home first baseman Jeremy Vasquez (double) for a 4-0 Brooklyn lead 

the second.  But Aberdeen strikes back against starter Connor Grey for three runs in the bottom half of the frame; Connor Grey's throwing error didn't help matters.  With Aberdeen now trailing by one, the score remains unchanged through the fourth.  Connor exits a 4-3 contest on the winning side, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts.  

Brooklyn plates insurance in the fifth on Luke Ritter's double into center field scoring Francisco Alvarez, and Brett Baty singles and scores on a wild pitch in the seventh for a 6-3 advantage.

Right-hander Colby Morris pitches two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in relief of Grey.  

Hunter Parsons enters in the seventh in relief of Morris and immediately pitches into trouble.  He walks the leadoff batter, who, two wild pitches later, arrives at third base.  Parsons then hits the next batter putting runners on the corners, and another walk loads the bases.  Parsons then unleashes his third wild pitch permitting a run.  Afterwhich, right fielder Zach Watson's sacrifice fly to center makes it a one-run game.  Head Cyclone in Charge Ed Blankmeyer finally removes Parsons in favor of Andrew Edwards, who strikes out the third baseman Gunnar Henderson to end the Ironbirds' threat.  

Edwards returns to hurl a scoreless eighth, followed by Bryce Montes de Oca, who closes out the ninth for his second save.  Connor Grey escapes with a no-decision, and Colby Morris earns a well-deserved win.

Antoine Duplantis finishes 3 for 5 with a double and a run batted in, and Luke Ritter is 2 for 5 with a double and three runs batted in, giving him 31 for this season. 

• BOXSCORE

Home of the Ironbirds

Brooklyn Cyclones Open Road Trip With Loss at Aberdeen

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

GAME ONE

Brooklyn Cyclones      3

Aberdeen Ironbirds    7

FINAL/BOXSCORE

Alec Kisena Knocked Out of the Box After Three; Bats Go Silent After Luke Ritter Blast In Fourth

Aberdeen rolls out the welcome mat for Brooklyn starter Alec Kisena, who in turn surrenders five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks in just three innings of work.

Facing Aberdeen starter Garrett Stallings, second baseman Luke Ritter gets Brooklyn on the board with a three-run home run in the fourth.  Unbeknownst to them, it would be the last time a Cyclone would cross home plate.

Pitching in relief of Kisena, right-hander Josh Hejka keeps the Ironbirds in place through the sixth.  Afterwhich, Evy Ruibal enters the game and promptly surrenders two earned runs in the seventh, increasing the Cyclones deficit to five.  Brooklyn bats have now been held quiet since the fourth inning.  Andrew Edwards, called upon to twirl the eighth in relief of Ruibal, gets through without a hitch.

Facing Ironbird Garrett Farmer in the top of the ninth, the Cyclones muster one lone hit by Brett Baty en route to a series-opening 7-3 defeat at Aberdeen. 

All told, Brooklyn hurlers surrender seven runs (six earned) on ten hits and six walks.  Kisena takes the loss and sees his record fall to 1-4 with a 4.86 ERA.  Three fielding errors didn't help either.

Brett Baty accounts for half of Brooklyn's hits, finishing 3 for 4, all singles, and lifting his average to a .318 mark.  Seven team strikeouts are completely reasonable, but Coney Island only draws one walk.  

For Luke Ritter, his ninth home run this season.

Brooklyn Cyclones Get Two-Hit By Jersey Shore Blue Claws

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Jersey Shore leads Coney Island; 2-1

I - JS 7; BK 5

II - BK 3; JS 2

III - JS 3; BK 0

Two hits and surrendering unearned runs are no way to go through life.

Not again..!?

What is happening to my Surf Avenue Sluggers?

Without going back and checking, I know this is at least the fourth time the Cyclones have been two-hit by the opposition this season.  Hudson Valley did it to Brooklyn three times in one series.  

On Thursday, Blue Claws starter Kevin Gowdy faces 19 batters, throwing 78 pitches with 48 (61.5%) going for strikes.  He allows no runs on no hits and two walks with five strikeouts through six innings pitched for the win.  From the bullpen, Jersey Shore's Aidan Anderson yields a double to Brett Baty in the eighth, and in the ninth, Blake Brown surrenders a double to Juan Uriarte (still playing in place of  Francisco Alvarez), and that's all.  The Cyclones strike out nine times and draw two walks.  

Brooklyn starter Jose Butto starts out effectively but is foiled in the fifth.  He surrenders three runs, but only one is earned.  Otherwise, Butto allows only four hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched in a losing effort.  Relievers Connor O'Neil and Andrew Edwards join together for 4.1 scoreless innings.

• RECORD: 14-28 (.333)
• BOXSCORE
  

Brooklyn Cyclones Win First Ever Game at Wilmington, Delaware

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN RETURNS TO WILMINGTON

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Wilmington Blue Rocks

FROM

Frawley Stadium

The Brooklyn Cyclones make their first-ever visit to Wilmington, Delaware.  Without researching it, the Brooklyn Royal Giants or Brooklyn Dodgers are very likely the last professional baseball team from Brooklyn to visit this Delaware city.

Cyclones Win Series Opener As Brooklyn Makes Triumphant Return to Wilmington

Right-hander Justin Lasko toes the rubber for Brooklyn, opposed by southpaw Alfonso Hernandez for Wilmington.  The two duel to a one-all tie through six.  Wilmington opens the scoring in the second, first baseman Omar Meregildo with the run batted in.  Brooklyn catcher Francisco Alvarez drives home Cody Bohanek in the fourth.

Lasko allows the one run on just three hits and no walks with four strikeouts through six.  Hernandez likewise allows a run on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts through six.  Both exit to a no-decision.  

• BOXSCORE: Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Brooklyn finally breaks through with two runs in the eighth against Zach Brzykcy, pitching in relief of Hernandez.  Cody Bohanek triples home Antoine Duplantis, then scores when Ronny Mauricio bounces into a fielder's choice for a 3-1 lead and the final margin of victory.  

Reliever Brian Metoyer throws two scoreless innings for the win, and Andrew Edwards closes Wilmington in the ninth for the save.  Brzykcy takes the loss.

Cody Bohanek finishes 3 for 3 with a double, triple, a run batted in, and two runs scored.

⚾ 

ICYMI: OTD in Brooklyn vs. Wilmington History.

• OTD Eastern Colored League 6/16/21: Brooklyn Royal Giants defeat Washington Potomacs at Wilmington

William Julius "Judy" Johnson

Hall of Fame 1975

Jersey Shore Evens Up Series With Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

WEDNESDAY

Brooklyn         1

Jersey Shore  4

FINAL

After Tuesday's four home run barrage, Jersey Shore hurlers keep the Cyclones bats relatively dormant in game two of their series at Jersey.  

The BlueClaws scored four times in the third, highlighted by a two-run home run from right fielder Jhailyn Ortiz.  All runs are charged to Brooklyn starter Justin Lasko who allows four hits, one walk, and fans three through five innings pitched.

Ronny Mauricio grounds a base hit through the left side in the sixth, delivering Gerson Molina with Brooklyn's first and only run.  The Cyclones lose by a margin of three.  Lasko takes the loss. 

Otherwise, Andrew Edwards gives up just one hit in two scoreless innings, and Michel Otanez twirls a scoreless eighth.  Third baseman Brett Baty (.352) is the lone Cyclone with multiple hits.  Ronny Mauricio now has 17 RBI through 23 games.

• GAME #23 Boxscore: 6/2/2021

Brooklyn continues holding up the five-team North Division with an 8-15 record.  They trail the first place Aberdeen Ironbirds by 8.5 games.  The game also marks only the fifth time this season they do not strike out in double-digits.

So, there's that ...

Late Hudson Valley Run Spoils Brooklyn Cyclones Home Opener

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

OPENING DAY
Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Our Brooklyn Cyclones are finally home.  The 2019 New York Penn League champions returned to their Coney Island grounds for the first time in twenty months or upwards of 600-plus days; pick your poison.  They've been promoted up in levels, and now play in the newly formed High-A East Division.  Brooklyn opened the season on the road.  For the first time in the respective team's histories, the Cyclones faced-off against the Asheville Tourists and the Greenville Drive.  Because of MiLB realignment, many members of the 2019 champions are returning for a second season in Brooklyn.  Among them are position players Brett Baty, Antione Duplantis, Joe Genord,  Luke Ritter, Jose Mena, and Jake Mangum.  From the pitching ranks, returning hurlers include Dan Goggin,  Andrew Edwards, Mitch Ragan, Brian Metoyer, Josh Hejka, Alec Kisena, Jaison Vilera, and Josh Walker.

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES

vs.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

Let the rivalry begin!  The Hudson Valley Renegades are by no means strangers to Brooklyn.  Pandemic aside, this season marks the 20th year of competition between the two former New York Penn League member clubs.  But make no mistake, the playing field has changed.  The New York Yankees new affiliate is now the Cyclones chief rival.  Gone are the days of Brooklyn vs. Staten Island.  This is now about Kings County versus Dutchess County.  Better said, the battle for Downstate New York is on! 

Ceremonial First Pitch Thrown By Returning Champions

Andrew Edwards to Antoine Duplantis

FIRST PITCH

Jose Butto to Hayden Senger

Old Neighbors to the North Spoil Opening Day in Brooklyn

In the first game at Coney Island since the September 2019 championship series, the Hudson Valley Renegades outlast the host Cyclones in a see-saw battle at old Steeplechase grounds. 

• FINAL SCORE: HVR 4; BKN 3
• BOXSCORE #12: Tuesday, May 18, 2021

In the top of the third, Hudson Valley starter Hayden Wesneski unleashes a wild pitch permitting catcher Hayden Senger to score from third.  The score remains unchanged until the sixth when Renegade first baseman Kyle MacDonald homers off Cyclones starter Jose Butto with a man on base.  Brooklyn reclaims the lead on Joe Genord's two-run home run in the seventh scoring Brett Baty.  But Kyle MacDonald singles off reliever Nick MacDonald in the eighth, tying the game at three.  

Facing Andrew Edwards with two outs in the top of the ninth, Hudson Valley right fielder Pablo Oliveras connects for a run-scoring double giving the Renegades a 4-3 lead.  In the bottom of the ninth right-hander, Zach Greene retires Brooklyn in order to earn the win.  Cyclones' Andrew Edwards takes the loss.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Greenville Drives Coney Island Fans Crazy

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

OPENING DAY
Tuesday, May 18, 2021

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES

vs.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

Our Brooklyn Cyclones are finally coming home.  The 2019 New York Penn League champions have yet to play a game at Coney Island since I snapped this picture on that glorious September night twenty long months ago.  They've been promoted up in levels, and now play in the newly formed High-A East Division.  Because of MiLB realignment, many of the 2019 champions will be returning for a second season in Brooklyn.  Among them are position players Brett Baty, Antione Duplantis, Joe Genord,  Luke Ritter, Jose Mena, and Jake Mangum.  From the pitching ranks, returning hurlers include Dan Goggin,  Andrew Edwards, Mitch Ragan, Brian Metoyer, Josh Hejka, Alec Kisena, Jaison Vilera, and Josh Walker.  Hurry back, we miss you!

⚾

Greenville defeats Brooklyn; 4-2

I - BKN 6; GVL 1

II - BKN 3; GVL 2

III - GVL 8; BKN 2

IV - GVL 5; BKN 1

V - GVL 8; BKN 4

VI - GVL 10; BKN 9

Like deja vu all over again ... 

• BOXSCORE: Sunday, May 16, 2021; Game #11

Brooklyn was pushing the pace.  They held various leads in this game, some larger than others.  Meanwhile, the Drive remained just close enough to stay representative.  Then, reminiscent of Saturday's four-run eighth inning, Greenville erupts this day for five runs in the eighth to overtake the Cyclones.

After two superlative starts, Josh Walker yields four earned runs on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Designated hitter Delvin Granberg connected off Walker for a two-run home run in the fourth.  In the eighth, the Drive tag reliever Michel Otanez for another five earned runs on four hits and two walks, and just like that, Brooklyn found themselves down 9-6 heading into the ninth.  

With Jose Mena and Antoine Duplantis on base, shortstop Ronny Mauricio Ronny clears the wall in left, tying the game at nine!

Leading off the bottom of the ninth, Greenville's first baseman Tyreque Reed deposits Brooklyn reliever Eric Orze's 3-2 offering over the right-field wall.

Game over.

See you TUESDAY ... 

Brooklyn Cyclones: More Swings and Many Misses at Greenville

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn Cyclones @ GREENVILLE DRIVE

I - BKN 6; GVL 1

II - BKN 3; GVL 2

III - GVL 8; BKN 2

IV - GVL 5; BKN 1

Things started out well.  However, it's how you finish that counts.  Brooklyn first baseman Joe Genord in the second clubbed his third home run this season.  But it wasn't long till Drive catcher Kole Cottam homered in the fourth, knotting the game at one.  

Trouble then finds Cyclones starter Alec Kisena again in the fifth.  This time he is knocked out of the box as the Drive rally for three runs.  In the fifth, Greenville third baseman Nick Sogard for good measure, homers off Nick MacDonald pitching in relief of Kisena.  

Southpaw Andrew Edwards is the only Brooklyn pitcher to come away from this game unscathed.  He tosses 2.1 innings in relief of MacDonald with three strikeouts.  Led by Greenville starter Brayan Bello, four Drive pitchers limit the Coneys to just four hits and issue four walks.  But the Surf Avenue Sluggers ponderously strike out another 14 times (falling one short of Thursday's total).  That makes 29 strikeouts through two games and 64 at-bats, or a 45% rate of whiffff.  

They've generated just ten hits in two losses to the Drive.  In this game, they go 0 for 6 w/ risp, and leave eight runners on base.  Greenville ties the series at two, but the Cyclones now fall a game under par with a 4-5 record through nine games and two games left versus the Drive before returning to Coney Island on Tuesday.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win 2019 New York Penn League Championship

From the desk of: McNAMARA DIVISION & NYPL CHAMPIONS

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Brooklyn Defeats Lowell; 2-1

I - BRK 2; LOW 1

II - LOW 3; BRK 1

III - BRK 4; LOW 3

BROOKLYN WINS FIRST UNDISPUTED BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SINCE 1955

It's been 18-years since the Cyclones completed their inaugural season at Coney Island.  It was a magical summer of baseball by the beach.  One I'll never forget.  For the first time since 1957 a professional baseball team called Brooklyn home.

The opening day line-up remains vivid in my mind.  The Cyclones post a team record and league best 52-24 record en route to capturing their first ever McNamara Division flag.  In their first ever post-season catcher Brett Kay's late inning home run in game three against the Staten Island Yankees clinches Brooklyn's first round victory and an improbable berth in the New York Penn League championship series.

Brooklyn defeats the Crosscutters in game one at Williamsport.  Game two is scheduled for Tuesday evening, September 11, at Coney Island.  However the horrific events and national tragedy which unfold that very morning force a cancellation of the series.  The New York Penn League declares the Brooklyn Cyclones and Williamsport Crosscutters co-champions of the 2001 season.

Brooklyn and Williamsport meet again in the 2003 championship series.  This time the Crosscutters sweep the Cyclones in two.  Four years later Coney loses two straight against the Auburn Doubledays.  They earn a third trip back to the championship series in 2010 only to be swept yet again by the Tri-City Valley Cats.

In 2012 the Cyclones lose a first round playoff series against the Hudson Valley Renegades, then fail to qualify for post-season play through the next six seasons.

In his third season as manager, Edgardo Alfonzo leads the Cyclones to their second straight 40-win season.  With a series sweep over the Yankees on the final weekend of the regular season Brooklyn (43-32) finishes tied for the league's best record with Hudson Valley.  But through virtue of the tie breaker Brooklyn claims their sixth ever McNamara Division title.  The Cyclones go on to defeat the Hudson Valley Renegades in the first round two games against one.

ICYMI

Cyclones Defeat Renegades; Earn Trip Back to Championship Series

On Sunday Sept. 8, the Cyclones win their first championship series game since 2001 with a 2-1 victory over the Spinners at Lowell.  After losing game two on Monday, the Cyclones answer back with a title clinching 4-3 comeback victory on Tuesday at Coney Island.  It's the Cyclones first undisputed championship in their 19-year history.

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019

CYCLONES STARTER NATHAN JONES TAKES HIS WARM-UPS

The Mets  2019 fifth round draft pick yields two runs, one earned, on three hits and three walks with one strikeout through three innings pitched.  He faces 14 batters while throwing 55 pitches with 31 going for strikes.  He exits to a no decision.

BOTTOM FIRST

With Brett Baty (walk) and Ranfy Adon (double) in scoring position,
Jake Mangum (above) strokes a two-out single through the right side scoring Baty.
Then with runners on the corners Antoine Duplantis (below) grounds to second;
Adon scores on the play giving Brooklyn an early 2-0 first inning lead.

THIRD INNING

With two outs in the top of the third, Nathan Jones issues a walk to Spinners right fielder Nick Decker and a single to second baseman Cameron Cannon.  Lowell first baseman Joe Davis then slashes a hit down the right field line scoring both runners knotting the game at two; Ranfy Adon is charged with a throwing error on the play.  With two outs in the bottom of the third, Lowell starter Jay Groome (pictured above) exits to a no decision.

TOP SEVENTH

With Mitch Ragan pitching in relief of Matthew Allan, Lowell designated hitter
Marino Campana (above) homers to left giving the Spinners a 3-2 lead.

BOTTOM SEVENTH

Antoine Duplantis (above) stands on third base after his game tying triple to right; Jake Mangum scores.  Yoel Romero (below) stands at first base under a Coney Island moon after his base hit to left plates Duplantis with the go ahead run.

TOP NINTH

Manager Alfonzo sends Andrew Edwards back to the mound for a second inning of relief.   He yields a lead-off hit to third baseman Nicholas Northcut.  After striking out Marino Campana, he walks pinch hitter Jaxx Groshans on four pitches.  Edwards regroups to strikeout left fielder Stephen Scott.  Then with two outs and two runners on base Lowell sends up pinch hitter Alex Erro who strikeouts swinging (pictured above) on three pitches.

THIS IS NEXT YEAR!!

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

Brooklyn Cyclones Forge Three-Way Tie For First Place

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN CYCLONES IMPROVE TO 

A LEAGUE BEST 21-13 RECORD AT HOME

GAME ONE

Vermont Lake Monsters  3

Brooklyn Cyclones         12

FINAL

Brooklyn scores early and often en route to a 12-3 slaying of the Vermont Lake Monsters in Sunday afternoon's series opener at Coney Island.  The Cyclones score ten runs in the first three innings alone with tack on runs in the fifth and seventh.  Starter Matt Cleveland faces 20 batters and throws 82 pitches with 47 going for strikes.  He limits the Monsters to just one run on two hits and four walks with five strikeouts through 4.1 innings, but does not figure in the decision.  Andrew Edwards earns the victory in relief of Cleveland despite yielding two runs on four hits with two strikeouts.  Christian Tripp takes care of the final two innings allowing no runs on one hit while fanning two.  Brooklyn strikes for 15 total hits in 38 at-bats, with five going for extra bases, and go 8 for 16 with RiSP.  Center fielder Kennie Taylor hits his second home run of the season.  Antoine Duplantis, Wilmer Reyes, Joe Genord, and Ranfy Adon each drive in a pair of runs apiece.

Sunday's victory forges a three way tie along with Aberdeen and Hudson Valley for first place of the McNamara Division.  The three teams are likewise locked in the three way tie for the Wild Card with only eight games remain in the regular season.  Connecticut lends Brooklyn an assist with an extra-inning victory over Hudson Valley.  Lowell however is soundly beaten by Aberdeen.  Staten Island splits a double-header up at Troy and close out the weekend 1.5 games out of both the division lead and the wild card.

• New York Penn League

Brooklyn Cyclones Steamroll Staten Island Yankees

From the desks of:  

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  and  THE HYLAN BOULEVARD RATS

BATTLE of the BOROUGHS

GAME ONE

Brooklyn Cyclones      11

Staten Island Yankees  4

FINAL

Brooklyn wallops the Yankees at the Ballpark at St. George to square up their season series with Staten Island at three.

The surging Yankees waste no time putting Brooklyn at a disadvantage.  With two on and two outs in the bottom half of the first inning Staten Island third baseman Mitchell Robinson doubles to left field plating both runners.  First baseman Nelson B Alvarez then grounds to second baseman Luke Ritter who mishandles the opportunity permitting Robinson to score for a 3-0 Yankees lead.  In the third inning designated hitter Jacob Sanford strokes a one out double to right, then advances to third on a wild pitch.  Isaiah Pasteur's sac-fly to center scores Sanford putting Staten Island ahead by four.

Brooklyn starter Matt Cleveland lasts 4.2 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and two walks.  Andrew Edwards enters the game in relief of Cleveland.

The Cyclones finally break through for a run in the sixth.  Antoine Duplantis leads off with a single then scores on Jose Peroza's double to right.  Brooklyn explodes for another six runs in the seventh highlighted by a Luke Ritter RBI double, a two RBI double from Jose Peroza, and a three run home run from Joe Genord.  The sudden onslaught continues in the eighth.  Jose Peroza works out a bases loaded walk against Yankees reliever Wellington Diaz.  Joe Genord then clears the bases with a double to left.

Jose Peroza and Joe Genord account for ten of the Cyclones eleven runs batted in.

Andrew Edwards departs after 2.1 innings of scoreless no-hit baseball with two walks and three strikeouts.  Manager Alonzo hands off to Jared Biddy in the eighth whom obliges with another two scoreless innings of one hit ball with two strikeouts.  Edwards is awarded his second victory of the season to go along with a 2.42 ERA.

Yankees starter Anderson Munoz yields no runs on four hits and two walks through 3.2 innings but does not factor in the decision.  The bullpen however yields all eleven runs on nine hits and five walks with five strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched.  Marcus Evey is tagged with a blown save and the loss.

With Sunday's victory the Cyclones improve to 31-23 (.574) with only twenty games remaining in their regular season.  However Hudson Valley sweeps a double-header from the Lowell Spinners.  Therefore despite Sunday's victory the Cyclones close the weekend 2.5 games back of first place.

McNamara Division Standings through 8/11/2019:

• Hudson Valley   34-21; *
• Brooklyn            31-23; 2.0 GB
• Aberdeen           30-26; 4.5 GB
• Staten Island     29-26; 5.0 GB

Brooklyn leads the wild card race by two games over the West Virginia Black Bears and Aberdeen Ironbirds whom Sunday handily defeat the Lake Monsters in an 11-0 whitewashing at Vermont.  Staten Island trails the wild card standings by 2.5 games.

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Second Straight From First Place Hudson Valley

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Cyclones lead Renegades 2-0

I - BRK 3; HVR 2

II - BRK 2; HVR 1

GAME THREE

Hudson Valley Renegades

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

That's two victories in the books with one more to go for a sweep of first place Hudson Valley.  Brooklyn has closed to within one-half game the Renegades entering Wednesday's series finale at  Coney Island.


MONDAY/GAME ONE: Jose Peroza Clutch Hit Lifts Brooklyn to Series Opening Win

The Cyclones take the series opener by a 3-2 final.  Trailing 2-1 after six and a half innings, Brooklyn strikes for a pair of runs in the home seventh.  Luke Ritter and Jake Mangum each hit safely putting runners on the corners.  Mangum then steals second putting both runners in scoring position.  With two outs Jose Peroza comes through with a sharply struck two-RBI single to center.  Making his tenth start of the season Cyclones starter Matt Cleveland yields just one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts, but does not factor in the decision.  Andrew Edwards picks up the victory in relief of Cleveland despite allowing a run on three hits and two walks with a strikeout through 1.1 innings.  Matt Mullenbach pitches the final 1.1 innings surrendering no runs, no hits, and fanning three en rout to his fourth save.  Luke Ritter connects on his third home run of the season in the second inning.


TUESDAY/GAME TWO:  Coney Walks Off Triumphantly on Antoine Duplantis Ninth Inning Hit.

Tuesday's brunch time start features Brooklyn's Garrison Bryant making his ninth start of the season being opposed by Hudson Valley southpaw John Doxakis.  Scoreless after three, the Renegades summon Steffon Moore whom contributes three more scoreless innings.  The two Renegade pitchers join in yielding no runs on just three hits and three walks with two strikeouts through six innings.  Garrison Bryant matches then allowing no runs on three hits and no walks with five strikeouts through six.  Bryant faces 21 batters wile throwing 73 pitches with 49 (67%) going for strikes.  But as was the case with Matt Cleveland in game one, Garrison does no factor in the decision.  Hunter Parson enters in relief of Bryant in the seventh and promptly surrenders the first run of the game on left fielder Pedro Diaz' clutch two-out RBI single to left.  First baseman Gavin Garay and pinch-hitter Jake Ortega open the bottom of the ninth with consecutive hits.  Right fielder Raul Beracierta successfully bunts both runners into scoring position.  Jake Mangum then singles home pinch-runner Kennie Taylor.  After which Antoine Duplantis follows with a single to center scoring Ortega for the walk-off win.  Josh Hekja whom pitches a scoreless top half of the frame is credited with his first career victory as a pro.


McNAMARA DIVISION:

• Hudson Valley  28-21 *
• Brooklyn          26-22  0.5 GB
• Aberdeen         28-23  1.0 GB
• Staten Island    27-23  1.5 GB

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