Meet the Epps, Meet the Epps

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET 

Step Right Up and Greet the Epps ...

Back in November 2021, a newly hired general manager named Billy Eppler inherited a high-level core of players.  That group featured Jacob deGrom - who only very recently returned to action - Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, and Edwin Diaz.

Shortly after moving into his new office, Eppler selected two outfielders from the free agent market called Starling Marte and Mark Canha, then, on Dec. 1, signed pitcher Max Scherzer (at Steve Cohen's behest).  Not yet done, Eppler signed free agent infielder Eduardo Escobar, reliever Adam Ottavino, and acquired starting pitcher Chris Bassitt from the Oakland A's.

Mets fans looked around and said this was good.

By May, as expected, the Mets finally parted ways with Robinson Cano - a move that would have mentally and financially crippled the previous regime.  This front office deemed Cano's DFA necessary and did indeed improve the team via the old adage, addition by subtraction.  It's also safe to say the previous owners would not have been copacetic with all of Billy Eppler's off-season acquisitions, much less agreeing to Max Scherzer's present annual value.

I digress ...

Over the last few years, JD Davis and Dom Smith were afforded a fair chance at earning their keep, respectively.  Mission unfulfilled as the former was dealt away at the trade deadline, and the latter remains on the 40-man roster at Syracuse.  In turn, Billy Eppler acquired lefty-hitting Daniel Vogelbach, lefty-hitting outfielder Tyler Naquin, and right-swinging Darin Ruf to reinforce the bench and lineup.

All the acquired players by Billy Eppler mentioned above, be it in the offseason or at the deadline, have a game, a hit, or a standout moment this season that we can point to and deem unequivocally as essential contributions toward the team's success.

I'd be remiss if I didn't extend well-deserved props to Carlos Carrasco, Taijuan Walker, Trevor Williams, David Peterson, Luis Guillorme, and others.

Let us not forget minor league call-up, Brett Baty.  He homered during his major league debut against the Atlanta Braves.  Left-hander Nate Fisher, a former banker from the Seattle Mariners system, allowed just one hit in three innings of relief in his major league debut against the Phillies this past Sunday.  The point here is it takes a 40-man roster to win championships.  We must also remember how Eppler did not recklessly empty the farm system of its top prospects at the deadline.

The Mets are 21-9 since the All-Star break.  They own a 43-19 record against their N.L. East division rivals and enter Tuesday's action with a four-game lead over the second-place Braves.  Their overall record (79-44) is second best in all of baseball behind the Dodgers.  Except for Apr. 11, the Mets have spent every day this season in first place. 

Billy Eppler has no doubt impacted this team.  However, we still need to buckle up because the real fun has yet to begin.  The month of September is a mere ten days away.  That's when Eppler's most crucial off-season acquisition comes into play.  There are few if none, more qualified managers in baseball to lead the Mets through a pennant race than Buck Showalter.

Let's Go Epps!

THE METSIAN PODCAST: Subway Series Sweep & Trade Deadline Huddle w/ Ernest Dove

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

@THE_SamMaxwell   @MetFanRich   @BTB_MikeII

@THEMetsianPod

⚾

GUEST

Sports Reporter/Analyst for SPORTANARIUM.COM

Covering the St. Lucie Mets

ERNEST DOVE

Double, double toil and trouble; summer burns, and dog days bubble.  After two losses against the Padres, the resilient Mets responded with a dramatic takedown of the New York Yankees in the subway series.  They thus reestablished a three-game lead over the second-place Atlanta Braves.  Alas, what will prove to be a wild second half of the season is excitedly underway.  With the trade deadline now less than a week away, it's up to the general manager to reinforce the team and fortify their division standing.  Assisting the Metsian Podcast in detailing the Mets' minor league commodities at Billy Eppler's disposal and plotting a potential course of action will be, hailing from the Sunshine State, baseball reporter, and analyst Ernest Dove. 

SUBWAY SERIES SWEEP!

The Metsian Podcast: N.L. East Sizzle with Jeff Cohen of Baseball & BBQ

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

@THE_SamMaxwell   @MetFanRich   BTB_MikeII

@THEMetsianPod

GUEST

JEFF COHEN

BASEBALL & BBQ

Mets Fever is in the air.  Fans everywhere are becoming wildly happy and contagious.  Suppose you're breaking out in blue and orange dots.  That's because the Mets on Wednesday completed a series victory at Atlanta, taking two out of three games against their top division rival, the defending champion Braves.  As they say, if you want to be the best, you must beat the best.  As such, the Mets have now won four of seven games against the Braves this season, with a dozen more fanatically distressing division contests still to play.  Joining Sam and me to discuss Mets baseball, symptoms of summertime, and the 2022 pennant race will be Jeff Cohen of the acclaimed Baseball & BBQ Podcast. 

It's a Mad, Mad, Mets World: A Cathartic Metsian Podcast With TUMARO MEDIA's Phil Maillard

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

GUEST
TUMARO MEDIA

PHIL MAILLARD

114 minutes

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mets world.  The lack of slugging is driving us crazy.  After losing three of four to the Miami Marlins, being swept by the Phillies, and falling out of first place, Sam, Rich, me, and Phil Maillard convene for a cathartic episode of The Metsian Podcast.  We're here for you.  Listen in and decompress.

#LGM

The Metsian Podcast: Minor League Report & Second Half Preview with Jacob Resnick

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT & SECOND HALF PREVIEW

with

SNY-TV Contributor

JACOB RESNICK

#LGM

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

 

Early Deficit Too Much For Brooklyn Cyclones To Overcome

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 3-0

I - HVR 9; BRK 7

II - HVR 3; BRK 2

III - HVR 6; BRK 4 

Winless Streak Reaches Five

Brooklyn rallies for two runs in the ninth, but it goes for naught.  

The Cyclones lose this game early.  

Starter Cam Opps promptly yields a two-out home run in the first.  Then, just when the Cyclones thought they had this game tied in the top half of the third, Cam Opp allows two runs on three doubles in the bottom half of the frame, and off to the showers, he goes.  

After Zach Ashford doubles home Brett Baty in the fourth to get the Cyclones back within one, Hudson Valley plates three more runs in the home fourth to put the game out of reach.  

Cam Opp allows three earned runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts in a mere 2.1 innings pitched for the loss.  Right-hander Colby Morris fares no better, surrendering three runs on three hits and one walk in 2.2 innings pitched.  However, Hunter Parsons and Michel Otanez close out the game with three scoreless innings.  

Otherwise, Brooklyn's two-run ninth is an afterthought.

Brett Baty goes 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored, designated hitter Jeremy Vasquez also goes 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs batted in, and Cody Bohanek drives in a run.  Again, the Cyclones strikeout in double-digits and draw just two walks while batting 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

Coney Island loses their third straight to the Renegades and extends their winless streak to five.

Faulty Bullpen Short Circuits Brooklyn Cyclones Power Surge at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

GAME ONE

CYCLONES     7

RENEGADES    9

FINAL/BOXSCORE

Home Runs From Brett Baty, Luke Ritter, and Francisco Alverez Negated By Bullpen Meltdown 

Eight total pitchers climb the bump at Hudson Valley Tuesday night.  Only one walks off unscathed, Renegades reliever Derek Craft, who earns his second save this season.

In a rock'em, sock'em affair, the Cyclones trail 5-3 after four but erupted for three runs in the sixth.  However, Hudson Valley gets one back in the bottom of the frame to knot the game at five.

Cyclone starter Jaison Vilera allows five earned runs on eight hits, including three home runs, in only four innings pitched.  He faces 20 batters while throwing 60 pitches, with 36 (60%) going for strikes.  Right-hander Evy Ruibal, in relief of Vilera allows a run on one hit in two innings pitched.  

Renegades starter Josh Maciejewski allows three runs, including a home run off the bat of Francisco Alvarez (7) in the fourth.  Reliever Matt Minnick likewise yields three runs, including home runs by Brett Baty (7) and Luke Ritter (11), both in the sixth.

Brooklyn's Bryce Montes de Oca fails to pitch out of the seventh.  He is relieved by Mitch Ragan but not before surrendering two runs on a hit and three walks in just 0.2 of an inning pitched.  Like his stablemates before him, Ragan fails to keep Hudson Valley from tacking on, surrendering a run on two hits in 1.1 innings pitched.

Joe Genord delivers Francisco Alvarez in the eighth, but the Cyclones would score no more.  Five of Brooklyn's eight hits go for extra bases.  They strike out 13 times, draw four walks, and bat a mere 1 for 10 with runners in scoring positions.

But the bullpen simply does not hold.  On more baseball diamonds than not, three earned runs on three hits and three walks over the final two innings is a losing proposition.

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

Errors and Rain Leave Brooklyn Cyclones Stuck In The Aberdeen Mud

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Aberdeen Ironbirds lead Brooklyn Cyclones; 3-1

I - ABD 7; BKN 3

II - ABD 2; BKN 1

III - BKN 7; ABD 6

IV - ABD 2; BKN 0*

*came called bottom 6th

• BOXSCORE: Thursday, July 1, 2021
  

Starters Cam Opp for Brooklyn and Drew Rom for Aberdeen engage in a scoreless duel through the third.  Aberdeen then opens the scoring in the fourth.  Two hits, a passed ball, and a Cyclone error by third baseman Luis Gonzalez result in a 2-0 Ironbird lead.

Rom pitches through the sixth, allowing no runs on just four hits with six strikeouts.  Meanwhile, Cam Opp is removed after the fifth but not before yielding two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.  He faces 20 batters and throws 81 pitches, with 55 (67.9%) going for strikes.  

Michel Otanez enters the game in the sixth, and with two outs, down came the rain.

The game is then declared official.

Antoine Duplantis accounts for two of Brooklyn's four hits.  Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez are responsible for the others.

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.

More Long Balls Power Brooklyn Cyclones To 3-2 Series Lead Against Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

 Coney Island leads Jersey Shore; 3-2

I - JS 7; BK 5

II - BK 3; JS 2

III - JS 3; BK 0

IV - BK 7; JS 2

V - BK 8; JS 5

VI - SUNDAY

Back-To-Back Home Runs From Brett Baty, And Francisco Alvarez Prove Decisive

One score and twenty-four hours ago, the Brooklyn Cyclones play their first-ever game at Coney Island.  

That's it ... I just wanted to use this definition of score in a sentence.

Otherwise, Jersey Shore gets on the board in the top of the third.  Brooklyn answers with two runs in the bottom of the frame; first baseman Joe Genord doubles home Cody Bohanek, and Jose Mena doubles home Genord.

The Blue Claws score another run in the fourth, and the Cyclones again answer with two in the bottom half of the frame.  With one out and two runners on, Bohanek reaches safely on an E-6; Francisco Alvarez scores on the play.  Genord then singles home Luke Ritter from third.

Jersey Shore starter Jhordany Mezquita allows all four runs on three hits and six walks through four innings.  Brooklyn starter Connor Grey yields two earned runs on three hits and just one walk with six strikeouts through five innings pitched before departing on the winning side of a 4-2 affair.

But Jersey Shore then scores unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh innings, tying the game at four.  In relief of Grey, right-hander Colby Morris yields both runs on four hits and two walks in 1.2 innings pitched.

The Surf Avenue Sluggers finally breakthrough with four runs in the home eighth highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez.  It's Alvarez's second home run in as many days.  With one on and one out, Cody Bohanek singles, but an error in left field permits Ritter to score all the way from first.  Afterwhich, Bohanek scores from third on a wild pitch giving Brooklyn an 8-4 lead.

Pitching in relief of Colby Morris, Michel Otanez gives up a run in the ninth but closes out the victory for Brooklyn.  Otanez earns a well-deserved win allowing just two hits and striking out five in 2.1 innings of quality work.  A fine start by Connor Grey earns him a no-decision.  Brooklyn pitchers join for twelve combined strikeouts.

The Cyclones generate just six hits, but four are for extra bases.  They strike out just seven times, draw eight walks, and bat 3 for 8 with runners in scoring positions.  Joe Genord is the lone Baby Bum with multiple hits and runs batted in.

Brooklyn takes a 3-2 series lead, with the finale slated for Sunday afternoon at Coney Island.

Pitching and the Long Ball Lift Brooklyn Cyclones Over Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Jersey Shore @ Coney Island tied; 2-2

I - JS 7; BK 5

II - BK 3; JS 2

III - JS 3; BK 0

IV - BK 7; JS 2

BOXSCORE

Francisco Alvarez Homers in Return to Lineup; Cyclones Even Series

Now that's more like it..!

Jersey Shore promptly takes a 2-0 lead in the first inning on catcher Logan O'Hoppe's two-run home run.

Afterwhich, Brooklyn hurlers surrender just four scattered hits the rest of the way.  After the first inning, Cyclones southpaw  Cam Opp regroups, allowing just one more hit and one walk with three strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched for the win.  He faces game-high 22 batters, throwing 74 pitchers with 42 (56.7%) going for strikes.  Relievers Josh Hejka and Allan Winans join together for 3.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

Starting the game at first and finishing in left field, Jeremy Vasquez goes 2 for 3 with a home run in the second and a team-high three runs batted in.  Making his return to the lineup, catcher Francisco Alvarez is 1 for 3 with a home run in the eighth, his fifth this season, and two runs batted in, and LT Struble goes 2 for 4 also with two runs batted in.  Cody Bohanek, starting at third place in place of Brett Baty, gives Long Island three players with multiple hits.

With Friday's victory, the Cyclones knot the series at two.

But you know I can't let them off the hook so easily.  Despite ten hits, the Surf Avenue Sluggers whiffed ten times and drew just three walks.

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: Jose Mena Thrills Coney Island Crowd With Game Winning Hit In Tenth

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

GAME TWO
Jersey Shore  2

Coney Island  3

10 innings

Brooklyn Battery Powers Cyclones To Victory In Game Two  

Stellar pitching and Jose Mena's game-winning hit in the eleventh sends the Coney Island crowd home in a delighted state of mind.  Goes to show good things come to those who wait.

Jersey Shore and Brooklyn duel to a scoreless tie through five.  Toeing the rubber for the Blue Claws,  Ethan Lindow yields just four hits and strikes out five.  For the Cyclones, Alec Kisena similarly allows just four hits with six strikeouts before exiting with one out in the sixth.  While inheriting a runner at second in relief of Kisena, Eric Orze closes out the top half of the frame unscathed.  Meanwhile, Lindow continues the mission with a scoreless bottom half of the sixth.

Eric Orze retires Jersey Shore in the top of the seventh, striking out DH Herbert Iser for out number three.  For the BlueClaws, right-hander Mark Potter takes over pitching duties from Lindow, who exits having allowed just five hits, just one for extra bases.  Suddenly, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, LT Struble bunts for a base hit, then steals second base.  Next up, Antoine Duplantis lined a triple to center field, scoring Struble with the go-ahead run.  Unfortunately, Duplantis is left stood at third base.

Like an omen, third baseman Brett Baty's errant throw to first base opens the eighth.  With one out, Eric Orze issues a walk and then walks another to load the bases.  Brooklyn makes a change, and with one out into the game comes Mitch Ragan.  The Cyclones come close to executing a 5-4-3 double-play, but a safe call at first and the lead runner scoring from third knots the game at one.  

Jersey Shore right-hander Mike Adams is called upon to pitch the bottom of the eighth.  He pitches himself into, then out of potential trouble, and into the ninth inning, they go.

With one out in the top of the frame, Jose Mena (starting in place of dinged-up Francisco Alvarez) throws out an attempted steal of second.  Mitch Ragan then fans Herbert Iser for the third out.  In turn, Jersey's Andrew Brown throws a scoreless home half of the ninth, sending this contest into extra innings.

Mitch Ragan returns to the bump but does not hold.  The BlueClaws pull the old pinch-runner for the phantom runner who scores on consecutive sacrifice flies routine for a one-run advantage.

Then, facing Andrew Brown, Brooklyn loads the bases with the phantom runner, Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty HBP, and a walk to Luke Ritter.  After a mound visit, Andrew Brown walks Joe Genord tying the game at two.  Still, with no outs, Jose Mena wields a line-drive single to right field, Brett Baty scores the winning run.

Mitch Ragan earns the win.  Brooklyn evens the battle of the beaches at one.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones: Jersey Shore Triumphant In First Ever Visit To Coney Island

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE ON THE BOARDWALK

GAME ONE
Jersey Shore BlueClaws  7

Brooklyn Cyclones           5

FINAL/BOX

BlueClaws Bullpen Stops Brooklyn Comeback Cold In Its Tracks

Jupiter Pluvius does the Brooklyn Cyclones no favors ...

.. and so it is, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws are triumphant in their first-ever venture into Coney Island.

Oh, the shame ...

Insofar as the game, once both starting pitchers are yanked from the mound, the whole complexion of this contest changes - as if to say, all is well, nothing more to see here; go back to your homes.

Unfortunately for Brooklyn, an early and rather large deficit proves too much to overcome.

In the second inning, Jersey Shore third baseman D.J. Stewart says hello to Kings County with a home run against starter Jaison Vilera who in the very next frame yields six more runs, all earned.  Once the dust settles, Vilera is charged with seven earned runs on seven hits, including two home runs, and three walks, in a mere 2.2 innings pitched.

After wielding just two hits through the first three innings, Brooklyn finally gets on the board against Blue Claws starter Dominic Pipkin when Francisco Alvarez laces a double down the left-field line scoring Ronny Mauricio (single) and Brett Baty (double).  Joe Genord singles home Alvarez, and center fielder Adrian Hernandez plates two more, making it a 7-5 game.

Francisco Alvarez leaves the game (leg) and is replaced behind the plate by Juan Uriarte as they head into the fifth.  Perhaps asking your backstop who is built like a Mack truck to catch in 72% humidity (as I listen in from nearby Bensonhurst), leg out a double, then race from second to home was a bit much on the legs.  The announcers were sticking to a precautionary, and proactive explanation, but they did mention he was limping in the dugout.  Put that through the translator.  Otherwise, I hope it was just cramps.  Stay tuned ...

In relief of Vilera, right-hander Colby Morris puts forth his longest outing this season.  His previous high was 2.2 innings pitched.  He faces twelve batters and throws 51 pitches, with 30 (58.8%) going for strikes.  He strikes out the side in the fifth as part of three innings of no-hit, no-run ball.  All told, he strikes out four but clearly tires in the sixth inning, walking two batters before making his exit.  With two out and two runners on base, Michel Otanez enters the game and closes out the frame.

With the game in the hands of Jersey Shore's Manuel Silva and Otanez for Brooklyn, the score remains unchanged through the seventh as Brett Baty bounces into an inning-ending double play to close out the frame.  Otanez exits after 1.1 scoreless innings pitch with one hit allowed; into the game comes Allan Winans, who twirls a scoreless top eight.  Silva, in turn, tosses three scoreless innings for the Blue Claws.  He is relieved by Aneurys Zabala, who likewise closes out the home half of the eighth.

Winans goes out for the ninth and proceeds to retire Jersey Shore in order.  Zabala likewise climbs the bump for the home ninth.  First up, Joe Genord strikes out swinging.  Next, LT Struble works the count full and draws a one-out walk.  Antoine Duplantis then strikes out swinging.  Finally, like Genord and Duplantis before him, Cody Bohanek caps off an 0 for 5 night with a strikeout of the swinging variety.  It was Brooklyn's twelfth strikeout of the game, yet another double-digit demonstration.

File this under the comeback that wasn't.  Brooklyn's five-run outburst in the fifth was all there was, two runs short.  The Jersey Shore bullpen made sure of that.

• Quick Note: spell check keeps wanting to turn Aneurys Zabala's name into Aneurysm!

Brooklyn Cyclones Get Two-Hit By Hudson Valley Renegades For Third Time In Series

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE 

Hudson Valley defeats Brooklyn; 5-1

I - HVR 3; BKN 2

II - BKN 5; HVR 3

III - HVR 1; BKN 0

IV - HVR 8; BKN 0

V - HVR 5; BKN 4

VI - HVR 5; BKN 0

Look What The Renegades Did To The Cyclones, Again!

Toeing the rubber for Brooklyn in Sunday's series finale is Jose Butto, opposed by Hudson Valley right-hander Hayden Wesneski.  A scoreless duel extends through the fifth inning with just three hits for the Renegades and one for Brooklyn off the bat of Zach Ashford in the second.

Butto exits a scoreless game after the fifth.  He faces 19 batters, throwing 82 pitches with 54 (65.8%) going for strikes while allowing just three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.  Reliever Allan Winans enters in the sixth and promptly surrenders the Renegades' fourth hit of the game, which is soon erased when Renegades' catcher Josh Breaux bounces into a 5-4-3 double-play.

Hayden Wesneski surrenders only his second hit of the game in the sixth, a one-out single by Cody Bohanek.  He goes right back out and throws a scoreless seventh, striking out Antoine Duplantis and Ronny Mauricio before walking Brett Baty.  Catcher Francisco Alvarez flies to left field, ending the frame.

Allan Winans climbs the hill again for the eighth.  He walks the dreaded leadoff batter, and you know what happens next.  Shortstop Josh Smith doubles down the right-field line scoring Evan Alexander from second base.  Mitch Ragan relieves Allan Winans.  After issuing an intentional walk, Josh Breaux greets Ragan with a line-drive double to left field, scoring Smith.  Breaux then hits the next batter with a pitch to load the bases.  First baseman Eric Wagaman lofts a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Ezequiel Duran from third.  Mitch Ragan finally gets James Nelson on a pop-up to second.  But the damage is done, three runs for Hudson Valley in the eighth.

Right-hander Nick Ernst relieves Hayden Wesneski in the eighth.  Wesneski exits on the winning side of a 3-0 game, allowing just two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  The Cyclones are set down in order in the bottom of the frame.

Brooklyn right-hander Hunter Parsons is called upon to pitch the ninth in relief of Mitch Ragan.  With a double and single, Hudson Valley immediately puts runners on the corners, and a walk loads the bases before Parsons records an out.  A fielding error by Ronny Mauricio leads to a pair of runs.  Another intentional walk reloads the bases.  The Cyclones then convert a forceout at home, get the infield fly rule invoked, and finally retire the Renegades on a flyball to center from Wagaman, but not before two more runs come home for a 5-0 lead.

Hudson Valley right-hander Zach Greene retires the Cyclones to end this Coney Island nightmare.

In this series, Hudson Valley whitewashes the Cyclones three times, and three times they limit Brooklyn to just two hits.  On Thursday, June 10, in game three of the series, Hudson Valley limits the Cyclones to just a pair of hits.  On Friday, June 11, the Cyclones are again limited to just two hits.  Sunday is no different.  Zach Ashford and Juan Uriarte are the only two Cyclones who hit safely.

• BOXSCORE: 6/13/2021

The Squirrel, Jeff McNeil, started at second base and batted lead-off.  He lofted a fly to left field in the first inning and grounded out to first base unassisted to end the third before being removed.  This marks Jeff McNeil's second-ever visit to Coney Island.  He last played for the Cyclones in 2019, going 1 for 4 with a run scored.  After spending the 2013 season at Kingsport, McNeil bypassed Brooklyn in 2014, spending the season at Savannah and Port St. Lucie.

Brooklyn Cyclones Foiled Again By Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 4-1

I - HVR 3; BKN 2

II - BKN 5; HVR 3

III - HVR 1; BKN 0

IV - HVR 8; BKN 0

VII - HVR 5; BKN 4

Pitching and Defense Fail Brooklyn In The Ninth

Brooklyn opens the scoring in the second when Anthony Walters doubles home Joe Genord.  

After hurling five scoreless innings, Alec Kisena yields a leadoff single and a walk to start the sixth.  That's when Coach Blankmeyer summons Eric Orze from the bullpen.  An Ezequiel Duran double drives in one, and a two-out single drives home two more for a 3-1 Hudson Valley lead.  

The Cyclones answer back in the eighth.  Blake Tiberi scores on Brett Baty's fielder's choice to first, and Francisco Alvarez's two-run home run gives Coney a 4-3 lead.  

However, both Bryce Montes de Oca and Michel Otanez fail to secure the top of the ninth, allowing two runs on three hits.  Shortstop Cody Bohanek's throwing error is also a primary reason why the game's conclusion went awry.  Hudson Valley comes away with a 5-4 victory.  It's their fourth win of the series against one loss.  

The series finale is slated for Sunday.  Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil is slated to play in a rehab assignment.

• #32) BOXSCORE: Saturday, June 12, 2021

The Cyclones batted 6 for 31 (.193), with four walks, twelve strikeouts, and 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.  Saturday's contest marks the 18th time in 32 games they've achieved double-digit whiffs.  However, since I first hurled that criticism their way after the first 20 games, they've since struck out in double-digits in only three of their last twelve games, as opposed to 15 times in 20 games to start the season.  That suggests improvement.  So, there's that ...

The Renegades improve to 19-14, while the Cyclones fall to 10-22, twelve games under par.

When these teams first met in May, they split the series three games apiece.  Hudson Valley now owns a 7-4 edge in the season series.

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 ...

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Opening Game Against "New" Jersey Shore Rival

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BATTLE of the BEACHES

CONEY ISLAND

vs.

JERSEY SHORE

FROM

It Doesn't Matter

No Staten Island Yankees?  No problem, now we take out our frustrations on the BlueClaws!  At least at Coney Island, our seagulls have respect for us and our families.  Seagulls along the Jersey Shore are just despicable and flat-out dangerous.

The rivalry is on ... Fugheddaboudit!

GAME ONE

Cyclones   11

BlueClaws   5

FINAL

CYCLONES HIT FOUR HOME RUNS; SNAP FOUR-GAME SKID

Brooklyn jumps out to a three-run lead before Jersey gets on the board with a pair in the home second.  The Cyclones then erupt for three more runs in the fifth.

Coney Island wastes no time.  Brett Baty opens the scoring with his first home run this season.  Luke Ritter trots home when Joe Genord connects on his fifth home run.  Starter Jose Butto surrenders a two-run home run to designated hitter Vito Friscia in the bottom half of the frame.  Shortstop Ronny Mauricio triples home two runs in the fifth, and Brett Baty drives home Mauricio extending Brooklyn's lead by four.  That is until Vito Friscia connects on his second home run of the game in the sixth, reducing the Cyclones' lead by half.  Jersey essentially gives the Cyclones a run in the seventh; Zach Ashford scored.  Brett Baty drives in his third run of the night with a double in the eighth; it's his 20th run batted in this season.  Next up, touted catcher Francisco Alvarez goes deep to center field, giving the Cyclones a commanding 10-4 lead.  Jersey picked up a run in the eighth, but Brooklyn center fielder  Adrian Hernandez canceled it out with a home run in the top of the ninth for Brooklyn's eleventh and final run.  Jose Butto allows three runs on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched for the win.  

And, yes, I'm still paying attention: the Cyclones struck out 13 times!