Long Island Ducks Outlast the Rain and Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE and THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

EMPIRE STATE
BATTLE OF THE BIRDS

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

Ducks Rally After Rain Delay

Both starting pitchers walked off to no decisions.  In his second appearance with Staten Island since arriving from the Lancaster Barnstormers, left-hander Augie Sylk allowed one run on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.  Long Island right-hander Ryan Meisinger yielded one run on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 5.0 innings.  

Left fielder Antoine Duplantis drove in the game's first run in the top of the fifth.  Catcher  Andres Noriega delivered home the Ferry Hawks' second run in the top of the sixth.  Duck first baseman Jose Sermo singled home a run in the bottom half of the frame.

Then came the rain ...

When play resumed, the Ducks rallied for three runs in the eighth.  Five-year major league veteran Tzu-Wei Lin singled home a run, and right fielder Phil Caulfield doubled home two giving Long Island a 3-2 lead and the final margin of victory.

Right-handed reliever Victor Capellan took the loss.  Long Island's Wladimir Pinto earned his first win as a Duck, and in the ninth, Tyler Webb struck out the side to earn his twelfth save.

 

Staten Island Ferry Hawks Salvage Series Finale Against Long Island Ducks

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE and THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

EMPIRE STATE

Battle of the Birds

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

Ferry Hawks and Mother Nature Strike Down Long Island Ducks

After sustaining consecutive losses to open the series, the Ferry Hawks tallied seven runs by the time Long Island mounted a response.  Not until the home fifth did Duck starter Bennett Parry retire Staten Island without yielding a run.  Leading off the bottom of the first, right fielder Antoine Duplantis doubled and scored.  The Ferry Hawks then pushed across two runs in the second, Dilson Herrera hit a two-run home run in the third, and designated hitter Joseph Monge singled home a pair in the fourth.  The Ducks finally got on the board in the fifth.  With the bases loaded, Staten Island starter Matt Solter walked Alejandro De Aza forcing in a run, and Dustin Woodcock scored on a fielder's choice.  In the top of the sixth, Jacson McGowan hit his first home run as a member of the Ducks, and shortstop Phil Caulfield doubled home a run making the score 7-4 in Staten Island's favor.  Matt Solter exited the game on the winning side upon allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings. 

• Then, the game was delayed by lightning in the bottom of the sixth.  Play resumed at 9:18 pm.

Once given the all-clear, the Ducks rallied for two runs in the top half of the seventh; Jacson McGowan and Joe DeCarlo scored, cutting the Ferry Hawks' lead to one.  But Staten Island answered right back with two runs at the frame's bottom.  Hits by Dilson Herrera and Ricardo Cespedes extended the Ferry Hawks' lead to three.  The teams traded runs in the eighth.  Afterwhich, right-hander Victor Capellan closed out the game with a scoreless ninth for his 13th save.  Staten Island salvages the series finale.  Matt Solter earns the win and Bennett Parry takes the loss.  BOXSCORE

 

Long Island Ducks Take Second Straight from Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE and THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

EMPIRE STATE

Battle of the Birds

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

Ferry Hawks Let Two Leads Get Away

Leading off the home first for Staten Island, right fielder Antoine Duplantis homered to right field.  But Long Island answered right back on catcher Carlos Castro's run-scoring double in the second.  The Ferry Hawks retook the lead on newly acquired Cristopher Cespedes' RBI single in the fourth.  After a scoreless fifth inning, Sam Travis scored on a Dustin Woodcock sac-fly, and catcher Joe DeCarlo drove in Deibinson Romero, giving the Ducks a 3-2 lead and the final margin of victory.  

Ferry Hawk starter and Bronx native Anthony Rodriguez surrendered three runs, but only two were earned, on seven hits and four walks in 5.2 innings for the loss.

Long Island native Joe Iorio limited Staten Island to a pair of runs on four hits and four walks with a pair of strikeouts in seven innings for his seventh win against four losses.  In relief, left-hander Jose Jose tossed a scoreless eighth, and Tyler Webb closed out the ninth for his tenth save.  

BOXSCORE

Visiting Long Island Ducks Rout Staten Island Ferry Hawks in Series Opener

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE and THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

EMPIRE STATE

Battle of the Birds

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

at

Richmond County Grounds

The Flock Announce Their Arrival With Authority

The Ducks created instant trouble for Ferry Hawk starter Francisco Carrillo who yielded five hits in the first inning, most notably a three-run home run by designated hitter Deibinson Romero.  Afterwhich, things settled down, and the score remained unchanged through the fourth.  

But Long Island stepped it up again in the fifth.  Left fielder Sam Travis doubled home 

Alejandro De Aza, first baseman Jacson McGowan doubled home Travis, and Francisco Carrillo was sent off to the showers.  With Eddy Reynoso pitching in relief, a sac-fly by Vladimir Frias plated the third run of the inning, giving the Ducks a 6-0 lead.  

A sac-fly off the bat of Antoine Duplantis in Staten Island's half of the fifth finally spoiled the shutout.  Making his 17th start for the Ducks, right-hander Scott Harkin exited on the winning side after allowing one run on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.   

Out of the Duck bullpen, Edubray Ramos threw a scoreless sixth, right-hander Sandy Baez twirled a scoreless seventh, and James Varela similarly handled the eighth.  

Deibinson Romero extended Long Island's lead on a wild pitch in the seventh. 

In the top of the ninth, Staten Island pitching wholly imploded.  Long Island sent eleven batters to the plate who erupted for another seven runs, highlighted by catcher Carlos Castro's two-run home run.  

James Varela completed his second scoreless inning in the home ninth to close out this lopsided victory.  Four Long Island pitchers joined to limit the Ferry Hawks to a pair of runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Long Island batters amassed 21 hits, with seven going for extra bases.  Shortstop Kevin Whatley was the lone Duck without a hit, while all other batters wielded no less than two hits each.

BOXSCORE

Staten Island Ferry Hawks Outlast Long Island Ducks

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY CLUB

EMPIRE STATE
Battle of the Birds

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

Ferry Hawks Take Second Straight 

Right-hander Matt Solter climbed the hill for Staten Island up against Cody Beckman for the Ducks.  Both turned in near mirror image performances but only one walked away with the win.

The Ferry Hawks scored first on designated hitter Justin O'Conner's RBI base hit in the fourth.  With two outs in the sixth, Long Island tied the game on a Sam Travis hit. 

Left fielder Antoine Duplantis doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh, and scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 Ferry Hawk final margin of victory.

Staten Island center fielder Ricardo Cespedes finished 3 for 4 with a walk and run scored.

Starter Matt Solter earned the win, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts in sseven innings.  Right-hander Joe Kuzia pitched a scoreless eighth, and Victor Capellan closed out the ninth for his seventh save.

Cody Beckman allowed one run on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts in a six-inning tough luck loss.  Boxscore

 

Staten Island Ferry Hawks Turn Tables on Long Island Ducks

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY CLUB

EMPIRE STATE
Battle of the Birds

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

Native New Yorker Defeats Long Island in Game Two

The Ferry Hawks achieved a modicum of revenge on the heels of Monday's defeat to the Ducks.  

Left fielder Alejandro De Aza scored Long Island's lone run in the fourth on a double-play ball as Staten Island held the Ducks to just one run on seven hits to even the series at a game apiece.

Tuesday's pitching matchup featured Akeel Morris for Long Island against Anthony Rodriguez for Staten Island.  The native New Yorker held the Long Islanders to the lone run on seven hits and three walks with two strikeouts for the win.  He improved to 3-4 with a still unsightly 6.44 ERA.  Morris yielded four earned runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts in six innings for the loss.

Two members of the Ferry Hawk bullpen allowed no hits over the final three innings to close out the win.  Right-hander Victor Capellan pitched the ninth for his sixth save.

Second baseman Dilson Herrera doubled home two runs in the first.  Left fielder Antoine Duplantis 

singled home a run in the second, and designated hitter Mariel Bautista's sac-fly to right field delivered home Staten Island's fourth run of the game.

The series shifts back to Long Island for games three and four.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks Pluck Long Island Ducks

From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY CLUB

EMPIRE STATE

BATTLE of the BIRDS

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

Staten Island Evens Series With Long Island

After being shut out on Tuesday, left-handed Bronx native Anthony Rodriguez set Staten Island on a winning course in game two.  The Ferry Hawk starter kept Long Island scoreless on just two hits and one walk through the fifth inning.

Facing Duck right-hander Scott Harkin, the Ferry Hawks opened the scoring on designated hitter Joseph Reyes' double in the second.  Reyes then doubled home his second run of the game in the fourth.  In the fifth inning, Antoine Duplantis and Angel Aguilar each delivered home a run giving Staten Island a 4-0 lead.

Left fielder L.J. Mazzilli spoiled the shutout with a home run to left/center field, leading off the top of the sixth inning.  Reliever Sandy Baez then took over pitching duties for Long Island in the bottom of the sixth.

Right-hander Connor Law entered the game in the top of the seventh in relief of Anthony Rodriguez.  

Long Island's Chad Hockin entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and yielded a run-scoring double to Ricardo Cespedes, extending Staten Island's lead to four.

After a scoreless eighth, Staten Island's Victor Capellan closed out the ninth.  Anthony Rodriguez earned his second win of the season.  Scott Harkin took the loss.

• Boxscore: Ducks 1; Hawks 5
• Game One

Brooklyn Cyclones Fall to Jersey Shore in Regular Season Finale

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

REGULAR-SEASON FINALE

JERSEY SHORE @ BROOKLYN

I - BK 5; JS 2

II - JS 4; BK 3

III - JS 8; BK 6

IV - BK 7; JS 4

V - BK 9; JS 2

VI - JS 3; BK 1

Wait Till Next Year!

That's all, folks.  Brooklyn's first season in High-A is in the books.  

With Sunday's defeat against the Jersey Shore Blue Claws, the Cyclones lost their 70th game this season.  It perhaps fits they should lose a three-hitter, which has been a significant point of contention all season long.

Making his tenth start for Brooklyn, J.T. Ginn allows three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings for the loss.  He finishes at Coney Island with a 3-4 record and 3.38 ERA over 53.1 innings pitched.

The bullpen trio of Luis Montas, Michel Otanez, and Dylan Hill join together for three scoreless innings.

Brooklyn scores their lone run in the sixth.  Designated hitter Joe Suozzi draws a leadoff walk and scored from third on Wilmer Reyes' sac-fly to center field.  Shortstop Branden Fryman accounts for two of Brooklyn's three hits, Wilmer Reyes the other.

Jersey Shore wins the season series against Brooklyn with a 17-13 record.

Despite a club record seventy losses, trust me when I say this was one of the most thrilling seasons at Coney Island.  

BOXSCORE

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Shortstop Ronny Mauricio leads the Cyclones with 100 games played and a team-high 63 runs batted in.
• Center fielder Antoine Duplantis wields a club record of 100 hits.
• Catcher Francisco Alvarez leads the Cyclones with 22 home runs with 24 home runs overall.  The 19-year old phenom finishes his season with Brooklyn slashing .247/.351/.538/.889, with 58 RBI in 279 at-bats.
• Right-hander Alec Kisena strikes out 102 batters in 79.2 innings pitched; 11.5 K/9 average.
• Right-hander Justin Lasko, eleven starts, 2.81 ERA, and 64 strikeouts in 64.0 innings pitched.

Twenty seasons of Brooklyn Cyclones baseball - how sweet it is!

Brooklyn Cyclones Litter Back of Left Field Wall With Baseballs in Thrilling Twin Bill Sweep Over Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN @ HUDSON VALLEY

I - HV 7; BK 6

II - BK 4; HV 0

III - BK 10; HV 8

CONEY ISLAND BRINGS THRILLS TO WAPPINGERS FALLS

The Brooklyn Cyclones win both ends of a doubleheader at Dutchess Stadium.  Game one features a join-effort four-hitter pitched against Hudson Valley highlighted by Francisco Alvarez's team-leading 19th home run (tied with Ronny Mauricio).  During game two, while the bullpen was putting out fires, the Cyclones hit three more home runs, two by battery mate Nic Gaddis.

⚾

Francisco Alvarez Hits Number 19; Cyclone Pitchers Join Together on Four-Hit Shutout

GAME ONE - Making his eighth start for Brooklyn, J.T. Ginn is opposed by right-hander Mitch Spence for Hudson Valley.  

Leading off the top of the second, Coney Island's phenom catcher Francisco Alvarez smashes a hanging breaking ball over the left-field fence at Wappingers Falls grounds.  

The score remains unchanged through the sixth inning.  

Renegade starter Mitch Spence exits on the losing side of a one-run game, allowing four hits and no walks with nine strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Facing Feicer Perez in the top of the seventh, Brooklyn strikes for three runs on three hits highlighted by back-to-back doubles from Cody Bohanek and Antoine Duplantis en route to a 4-0 final score.

J.G. Ginn allows just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts through five scoreless innings pitched for the win.  He faces twenty batters and throws 87 pitches, with 49 (56.3%) going for strikes.  Right-hander Colby Morris yields four hits over the final two innings to complete the shutout.  

Francisco Alvarez hit his 19th home run with the Brooklyn Cyclones and his 22nd this season.  He and Ronny Mauricio are again tied for the team lead in home runs; Mauricio has 19 in 98 games while Alvarez has 19 home runs in 76 games.

⚾

Early Slugfest Turns Into Battle of the Bullpens; Cyclones Complete Twin Bill Sweep

GAME TWO - Making his first start this season for Brooklyn and alumni of the 2019 champion team, Garrison Bryant toes the rubber in opposition of southpaw Edgar Barclay for the Renegades.

Designated hitter Anthony Volpe right away gets Hudson Valley on the scoreboard with a first-inning leadoff home run.  

In the top of the second, third baseman Jose Peroza reaches base on an E-5, and Luke Ritter singles to left field.  Then with one out, Nic Gaddis homers to left field, giving Brooklyn a 3-1 lead.

Cody Bohanek draws a walk leading off the visitor's third, and with one out, Ronny Mauricio singles.  Jose Peroza then follows with a three-run home run to left.  With two outs, second baseman Luis Gonzalez singles, sending Renegade starter Edgar Barclays to the showers.  Next up, Nic Gaddis greets incoming reliever Nelvin Correa with another home run - his second - giving the Cyclones a commanding 8-1 advantage. 

But the Renegades say not so fast, answering back in the home half of the third with a three-run home run by right fielder Jake Sanford, a follow-up home run in the very next at-bat from Pat DeMarco.  Then with two outs, Garrison Bryant surrenders his third home run of the inning, a two-run shot off the bat of left fielder Frederick Cuevas making this an 8-6 affair in favor of Brooklyn.

Garrison Bryant exits after three innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and two walks through three innings pitched.  Cyclone right-hander Reyson Santos enters the game in the fourth and promptly surrenders a run on a leadoff double and base hit, pulling the Renegades within one.

Nelvin Correa tosses a scoreless top half of the fifth, and Reyson Santos likewise retires the Renegades in the bottom half.  Hudson Valley right-hander Nelson L Alvarez then enters the game and pitches a scoreless sixth.  Brooklyn's Michel Otanez reciprocates in the bottom of the frame.

Nelson Alvarez climbs the bump again in the ninth and immediately issued a leadoff walk to Jose Peroza, and we all know that's never a good thing.  Luke Ritter strikes out.  But, uh oh, a wild pitch advances Peroza to second base.  Luis Gonzalez then singles, putting runners on the corners.  With Nic Gaddis at the plate, Gonzalez steals second, but a wild pitch to the plate allows Peroza to score from third and Gonzalez to scoot over to third.  Gaddis then walks.  With two outs, left fielder Joe Suozzi draws another four-pitch walk loading the bases.  With two outs, another wild pitch by Nelson Alvarez allows Nic Gaddis to score for a 10-7 Brooklyn lead.

Michel Otanez surrenders a run in the home ninth but otherwise closes out the game for the save.  Reyson Santos earns the win in relief.  Hudson Valley's Edgar Barclay takes the loss.

Brooklyn's Alec Kisena Finally Earns Well Deserved Win; Cyclones Take Series Lead Against Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

WILMINGTON @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 5; WIL 0

II - Rained Out

III - WIL 6; BRK 0

IV - BRK 10; WIL 1

ALEC KISENA WINS FIRST DECISION SINCE MAY 8; FRANCISCO ALVAREZ HITS HOME RUN NUMBER EIGHTEEN

What the Cyclones failed to achieve on Thursday, they more than make up for in Friday's game. 

Starting for Wilmington, southpaw Mitchell Parker is opposed by Alec Kisena for Brooklyn.  

After two scoreless innings, the Cyclones strike for five runs in the third.  In consecutive at-bats, Antoine Duplantis, Jaylen Palmer, Ronny Mauricio, Francisco Alvarez, and Jose Peroza each drive in runs.  Mitchell Parker is naturally dispatched to the showers and replaced with left-hander Alfonso Hernandez who holds Brooklyn scoreless over the next 2.2 innings.  

Meanwhile, Alec Kisena yields his first and only run in the visitor's fourth.  After six innings pitched, he departs on the winning side, having yielded three hits with three strikeouts.  Brooklyn then erupts for another five runs in the bottom half of the sixth.  Francisco Alvarez ignites the rally with a leadoff home run.  Second baseman Luis Gonzalez joins the fray with two runs batted in.  After which, Duplantis and Palmer drive home their second runs of the game, respectively, giving the Surf Avenue sluggers a 10-3 lead.

Right-hander Colby Morris pitches a scoreless seventh and eighth, and Evi Ruibal, in a non-save situation, twirls a scoreless ninth with a strikeout.  The beleaguered Alec Kisena wins only his second decision for the Cyclones against nine losses with a reduced 4.74 ERA.  His first win came back in his first start of the season on May 8 against Asheville.  So, congratulations to him ...  

The Coney Island trio limits the Blue Rocks to one run on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts.

While the Cyclones draw only four walks and strike out twelve times, they achieve double-digit hits and bat 7 for 11 with runners in scoring position.  Antoine Duplantis leads with three hits.

Through 72 games and 238 at-bats as a member of the Cyclones, Francisco Alvarez now has 17 home runs and 52 RBI along with an above .500 slugging average.  Including fifteen games at Port St. Lucie, Alvarez has 18 home runs and 64 RBI through 87 games and 286 total at-bats.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Overcome Early Deficits, Rally Late; Bullpen Handles the Rest in Victory Over Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

ABERDEEN @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 9; ABD 6

II - ABD 2; BRK 1

III - BRK 1; ABD 0

IV - ABD 12; BRK 5

V - BRK 6; ABD 4

Brooklyn Bullpen Puts Aberdeen On Hold; Luis Gonzalez Drives Home Decisive Runs in Eighth

Aberdeen holds the early advantage.  Making his sixth start for the Cyclones, right-hander Luc Rennie surrenders two hits and issued two walks in the first inning as the Ironbirds jump out to a prompt 2-0 led.  

Second baseman Luke Ritter drives home one run in the bottom half of the first, third baseman Luis Gonzalez singles and scores the tying run in the second, and in the fourth, Cody Bohanek doubles and scored on Antoine Duplantis' line single to right field, giving Brooklyn a 3-2 lead.

With Luc Rennie pitching in the fifth, Aberdeen retakes the lead with another pair of runs.  The score then remains unchanged through the seventh.  Right-hander Brian Metoyer twirls two fine innings in relief of Rennie, allowing just a hit and striking out two.  The Cyclones then breakthrough for three runs in the bottom of the eighth; Luis Gonzalez drives home two runs and soon scores on a throwing error by Aberdeen pitcher Ignacio Feliz for a 6-4 Cyclone lead and the final margin of victory.

Brian Metoyer's fine effort earns him the victory.  Right-hander Willy Taveras strikes out three batters to close out the ninth for his third save this season.  Luc Rennie escapes with a no-decision, and Ignacio Feliz takes the loss.

The Cyclones bat 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position; they strike out 12 times and draw just three walks.  Of their nine hits, only one goes for extra bases.  The good news is with the victory the Cyclones take a 3-2 series lead over Aberdeen.  BOXSCORE

Home Runs and Stellar Bullpen Effort Lift Brooklyn Cyclones to Series Opening Win Over Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

ABERDEEN @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 9; ABD 6

Cyclones Twice Overcome Deficits; Bullpen Tosses 5.1 Scoreless Innings 

Back home at Coney Island facing a familiar foe in the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Cyclones overcome a four-run first-inning deficit with two runs in the bottom of the frame and three runs in the third for a 5-4 advantage.  The Ironbirds reclaim the high ground with two in the fourth.  But Brooklyn answers with another four-run outburst in the home seventh.  The score then remains unchanged through the ninth.

Making his 17th start for Brooklyn, right-hander Jaison Vilera is hit hard, allowing six runs on eight hits, including a home run and one walk over 3.1 innings pitched but still escapes with a no-decision.  Enter Josh Hejka with four strikeouts over 2.2 scoreless innings.  In one of baseball's odd instances when less is more, Evy Rubial wins for tossing a scoreless seventh.  Right-hander Willy Taveras then twirls a scoreless eighth and ninth innings to preserve Brooklyn's 9-6 series-opening victory over Aberdeen.

Center fielder Antoine Duplantis walks leading off the home first and scores on Ronny Mauricio's triple.  Mauricio then crosses home on Francisco Alvarez's fielder's choice to short.

With two runners on base in the third, Ronny Mauricio launches his 17th home run this season over the right field wall, i.e., into the breeze coming off the beach ... so there!

Brooklyn loads the bases in the seventh.  With one out, a Jeremy Vasquez sacrifice fly to left field plates Jaylen Palmer from third.  Then with two outs, third baseman Jose Peroza connects for a home run over the left field wall.

Ronny Mauricio finishes the game 3 for 3 with a walk, triple, home run, three runs scored, four runs batted in, and Jose Peroza doubles and homers in four trips.  For Francisco Alvarez, his 48th run batted in wearing a Cyclone uniform.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Bats Go Dormant After Big First Inning; Hudson Valley Takes 4-1 Series Lead

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 1-2

I - HVR 3; BRK 2

II - BRK 11; HVR 7

III - HVR 6; BRK 5

IV - HVR 3; BRK 1

V - HVR 6; BRK 4

Cyclones Serve Up Donuts at Wappingers Falls

Facing Hudson Valley starter Mitch Spence in the top of the first, Jeremy Vasquez doubles home two runs, and second baseman Jose Peroza homers to right field, giving the Cyclones an immediate 4-0 lead.  

But it does not last.  

Hudson Valley greets Cyclone starter Luc Rennie with five runs on just two hits, including one home run and four walks.  Rennie never makes it out of the first.  Right-hander Colby Morris is brought into the game with haste.

After the first inning, Mitch Spence proceeds to pitch four more scoreless innings.  Three Renegades' relievers take care of the rest, joining together in limiting Brooklyn to no runs on just two hits and no walks to preserve the victory.  Spence earns the win, and Derek Craft earns the save with a scoreless ninth.

The Renegades score one last run in the seventh for good measure.  Otherwise, the Cyclones' bullpen puts forth an effective effort.

Five of the Cyclones' nine hits come in the first, meaning they were held to four scattered hits the rest of the way.  The Brooks finish 3 for 11 with runners in scoring position and draw just one walk all game.  

Center fielder Antoine Duplantis leads Brooklyn with three hits.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Litter Wappingers Falls With Base Runners; Renegades Take 3-1 Series Lead

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 1-3

I - HVR 3; BRK 2

II - BRK 11; HVR 7

III - HVR 6; BRK 5

IV - HVR 3; BRK 1

Ejected and Dejected; Key Hits Elude Cyclones

How does a team collect eleven hits and score only one run?  

Start in the very first inning when the Cyclones strand Antoine Duplantis at third.  

Luke Ritter gets thrown out at home in the second inning trying to score from second base on a ball that never leaves the infield.  

Brooklyn strands a runner at second base in the fifth.  

In the sixth, shortstop Ronny Mauricio gets picked off first and thrown out at second.  Afterwhich, the Cyclones strand another runner at second.

They strand yet another runner at second in the seventh, and Ronny Mauricio gets ejected for arguing with the first base umpire.

The cherry on top is when the Boardwalk Bums leave the bases loaded in the ninth.  With no outs and the bases jammed, not one ball leaves the infield.  

So much for situational hitting ...

All told, the Cyclones bat 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded eleven runners overall.  They strike out eleven times while drawing only three walks.

Starter Alec Kisena pitches well but is unlucky.  He yields two runs, one earned, on three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts through five innings in a losing effort.  With two outs in the fifth, Kisena surrenders a home run to third baseman Pat DeMarco to plate the game's first run.

Right fielder Jaylen Palmer drives home Brooklyn's only run in the seventh.

Hudson Valley now owns a 19-9 advantage in the season series over Brooklyn.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Suffer Crushing Defeat at Hudson Valley as Passive Manager Blankmeyer Looks On

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 1-2

I - HVR 3; BRK 2

II - BRK 11; HVR 7

III - HVR 6; BRK 5

Cyclone Skipper Draws a "Blank"

Trailing 5-4 Entering the Home Ninth, 

Hudson Valley Hits Two-Run Walkoff Home Run

In match number three between New York City's rival affiliates, the Renegades serve with single runs in the first and third innings.  Brooklyn return serves with a run in the fifth and four aces in the sixth.  But the Renegades volley with a run in the bottom of the sixth and two more in the seventh, tying the game at five.

Hudson Valley starter Edgar Barclay is knocked out of the box with two outs in the top of the sixth, but not before surrendering four runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Making his fifth start for the Cyclones, J.T. Ginn allows three runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts through six full innings pitched while exiting on the winning side of a 5-3 affair.

Facing Brooklyn's Connor O'Neil in the home seventh, Hudson Valley is helped to a pair of runs.  O'Neil surrenders a leadoff hit, then advances the runner with an errant pickoff attempt.  The Renegades then score on a fielder's choice.  Afterwhich, Connor O'Neil issues four consecutive bases on balls forcing in a second run and tying the game at five.  Manager Blankmeyer finally removes O'Neil in favor of Evy Ruibal, who closes out the seventh without further damage.

Hudson Valley's Charlie Ruegger and Evy Ruibal then pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Leading off the ninth, second baseman Luke Ritter doubles, and Jose Mena singles putting runners on the corners with one out.  Ritter then scores on Antoine Duplantis' fielder's choice to second, but Jose Mena is thrown out at second base on the continuation to end the inning, not before the Cyclones take a 6-5 lead.

Evy Rubial is sent blackout for the home half of the ninth and promptly yields a leadoff single.  That right there usually serves as a red flag, but an unconcerned manager Blankmeyer makes no move.  His ambivalence proves unfortunate, if not costly.  Because the very next batter, designated hitter Anthony Volpe launches a game-winning two-run home run over the left-field wall.

A deflating loss, for sure.  I'm left with little choice but to call manager Ed Blankmeyer on the carpet over this one.  Back in the seventh, Conner O'Neil clearly lacked effectiveness/control and perhaps was left in the game too long.  Insofar as Evy Rubial, he did his job in the seventh and again in the eighth.  Sending him out again for the ninth was already a questionable move.  But blame for not removing Rubial once the leadoff hitter singled safely falls squarely on the manager.

Luke Ritter finishes 2 for 4 with two runs batted in, and with one hit Ronny Mauricio also drives home two runs giving him 52 RBI in 84 games to date.  Third baseman Jose Peroza goes 2 for 4 with a double and one run batted in.

BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Lose Battle of Situational Hitting; Renegades Seize Series Opener in Tenth Inning

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 0-1

I - HVR 3; BRK 2*

*10 innings

A Tale of Two At-Bats: 

Sacrifice Fly  >  Double Play 

Making his 16th start, Jaison Vilera is tasked with Tuesday's series opener at Hudson Valley, opposed by Anderson Munoz from the rival Renegades.

Right fielder Jose Martinez draws a base on balls leading off the second, then advances to second base on a wild pitch.  Designated hitter Jeremy Vasquez grounds to first advancing Martinez to third.  Anderson Munoz then unleashes his second wild pitch allowing Martinez to score.  But with two outs in the bottom half of the frame, Renegade designated hitter Mickey Gasper homers, tying the game at one.

The score remains unchanged through the fourth.  In the fifth, Hudson Valley second baseman Roberto Chirinos' run-scoring single gives the Renegades their first lead.  But Jose Martinez drives home the tying run in the Cyclone eighth.

Both starting pitchers exit to no-decisions.  Jaison Vilera faces 22 batters, allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts.  In facing 16 batters, Anderson Munoz allows a run but no hits and three walks with nine strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.

Brooklyn's bullpen trio of Willy Taveras, Michel Otanez, and Colby Morris yields just one hit with four strikeouts through four scoreless innings.  After a quiet ninth, into extra innings, they go at Hudson Valley.

At the top of the tenth, Antoine Duplantis successfully bunts the Phantom Menace over to third.  With one out, Jaylen Palmer draws a walk putting runners on the corners.  Shortstop Ronny Mauricio then steps in and promptly grounds into an inning-ending 4-6-2 double play.

You know what comes next ... BOXSCORE

Colby Morris returns to the bump for the bottom half of the tenth.  The Phantom Menace advances to third on a ground ball, short to first, then scores on a sacrifice fly to center field.  Without yielding so much as a hit or walk, Morris is tagged with the loss despite being in the act of securing two outs.  The only difference being Hudson Valley's outs proved more productive than those of the Cyclones.

Big Eighth Inning Dooms Brooklyn Cyclones; Trail Wilmington in Series, 3-1

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN trails WILMINGTON; 3-1

I - BRK 16; WIL5

II - WIL 15; BRK 3

III - WIL 5; BRK 4

IV - WIL 7; BRK 4

Good Start, Bad Finish; Blue Rocks Pelt Bryce Montes de Oca

I was somewhat surprised to see Alec Kisena not start Friday's game at Wilmington.  Rather, Colby Morris opened the game to mixed results, allowing a run in the first inning, three total hits, one walk with two strikeouts over the first two innings pitched.  

Instead, right-hander Alec Kisena enters the game in the third.  Brooklyn ties the game in the fourth on 

Francisco Alvarez's run-scoring sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Jaylen Palmer.  But Wilmington retakes the lead in the fifth with a run on two hits against Kisena, who continues pitching into the seventh when he is relieved by Bryce Montes de Oca with two outs.

A triple leading off the eighth by Antoine Duplantis followed by three more consecutive hits and five hits total results in three runs and a 4-2 Cyclone lead.  But Bryce Montes de Oca loses his touch in the home eighth, yielding three hits, two walks, and hitting a batter.  Relieving Montes de Oca, Michel Otanez unleashes another wild pitch allowing a fifth run to score en route to a 7-4 loss in game four of their series at Wilmington.

Jaylen Palmer leads Brooklyn with three hits, and Francisco Alvarez drives in two runs.

Bryce Montes de Oca earns the loss, allowing five earned runs on three hits and two walks in 0.2 innings pitched.

Wilmington now leads the series three games to one.  BOXSCORE