Wilmington Takes Thrill Out of Coney Island Nine; Cyclones Shut Out on Three-Hitter

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

V - WIL 4; BRK 0

Three Wilmington Pitchers Join for Three-Hit Shutout Victory; Series Tied at Two 

After two scoreless innings, Wilmington erupts for four runs on five hits, with two going for extra bases.  Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie yields all four runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts through 2.1 innings pitched.  Hunter Parsons, Michel Otanez, and Brian Metoyer hold the Blue Rocks to just one hit and no walks, with ten strikeouts, but their efforts go for naught out of the bullpen.  Led by Wilmington starter Cole Henry, the Blue Rocks limit the Cyclones to three hits and five walks in a combined shutout effort.  Right fielder Jaylen Palmer, Zack Ashford, and Luis Gonzalez account for Brooklyn's only hits.  The Cyclones draw five walks but again strikeout in double-digits (ten) and bat 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.  Second baseman Luke Ritter fans three times and leaves five runners on base.  With the win, Wilmington draws even with the Cyclones; the series finale is scheduled for Sunday.  BOXSCORE

Jaylen Palmer's Two Home Runs Power Brooklyn Cyclones in Series Opening Win Over Wilmington Blue Rocks

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

WILMINGTON @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 5; WIL 0

David Griffin, Brian Metoyer, and Willy Taveras Join Together in Five-Hit Shutout of Ironbirds

With remnants of Tropical Depression Ida headed New York City's way, Tuesday was still a mighty fine day at the beach.  

Right fielder and native New Yorker Jaylen Palmer homers in the first inning, and Brooklyn pitchers effectively take care of the rest.  

With two outs in the fourth, Francisco Alvarez draws a walk, steals second, then scores on third baseman Jose Peroza's hit to left field.  With one on in the home fifth, Jaylen Palmer hits his second home run, and Francisco Alvarez singles home Ronny Mauricio, giving the Cyclones a 5-0 lead and the final margin of victory.

Brooklyn pitchers collectively put forth a stellar effort.  Making his fourth start for Brooklyn, right-hander David Griffin faces 27 batters, throwing 87 pitches with 59 (67.8%) going for strikes.  He allows four scattered hits and two walks with two strikeouts over seven scoreless innings pitched for the win - his second with the Cyclones.  Right-hander Brian Metoyer throws a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts and making his eleventh appearance for Brooklyn Willy Taveras earns his fourth save.

Wilmington right-hander Seth Shuman surrenders all five runs on seven hits and two walks in a losing effort.  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

Brooklyn Cyclones Split Tightly Contested Twin Bill With 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

Classic Pitching Duels Unfold in Both Games of Wednesday Night's Doubleheader at Coney Island.  Aberdeen Takes Opener in Extra Innings; Boardwalk Bums Shut Out Iron Birds in Game Two

GAME ONE 

The front end of Wednesday's twin bill was nothing short of a classic pitcher's duel.  It's just unfortunate in games like this, one team must lose due in no part to lack of effort and performance.

Right-hander Zack Peek starts for the visitors and is opposed by J.T. Ginn for Brooklyn.  Making his sixth start with the Cyclones, Ginn allows just one earned run on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts through 23 batters, and five innings pitched.  Peek surrenders one run, a home run, two other hits, and no walks with seven strikeouts against 18 batters in five pitched innings.  Both exit to a no-decision.

Reliever Clayton McGuinness enters in the sixth, as does Colby Morris for Brooklyn.  Both trade zeroes through the seventh, and into extra innings, they go at Coney Island.  

With Brian Metoyer called upon to pitch the ninth, Aberdeen bunts over the phantom runner from second to third, who scored on a sacrifice fly to center field.  Ironbird right-hander Shelton Perkins then sits down the Cyclones to close out the eighth and final frame.  McGuinness earns the win, and Perkins the save.  Brian Metoyer takes the hard-luck loss.  

Center fielder Jaylen Palmer drives home Brooklyn's only run.  BOXSCORE

⚾

  

GAME TWO (Make-Up: 5/28/2021) 

Right-hander Connor Gillispe toes the slab for Aberdeen, and David Griffin climbs the bump for his third start with the Cyclones.  

First baseman Jeremy Vasquez's hit gives the Cyclones a 1-0 lead in the fourth, scoring Jaylen Palmer from second base.  Connor Gillispe exits on the losing side after four, while David Griffin continues pitching through the fifth.  With two outs and runners on the corners in the sixth, David Griffin freezes the final batter looking at strike three.  

Clinging to a one-run lead, Bryce Montes de Oca is tasked with closing out the seventh.  The first batter grounds to second, the next strikes out swinging, batter three keeps the inning alive with a single, a wild pitched advances the tying run into scoring position.  Still, Montes de Oca gets the following batter to fly weakly to right field.

Despite only two hits, the Cyclones hold on for a tight, error-free 1-0 victory to salvage a split of the twin bill.  David Griffin earns his first win for Brooklyn, and Montes de Oca earns his fifth save.  Designated hitter Luke Ritter accounts for Brooklyn's only other hit.  BOXSCORE

Cyclones Catch Long Ball Fever; Brooklyn Evens Series With Rival Renegades

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 1-1

I - HVR 3; BRK 2

II - BRK 11; HVR 7

Coney Island Nine Erupt for Seven Runs in Eighth Inning

Certain things run through one's mind when their team falls behind by five runs after just two innings.  I surely had a few things whirling around mine, particularly after Austin Wells' three-run home run against Brooklyn starter Cam Opp.  

But catcher Francisco Alvarez puts the Cyclones on the board in the fourth with his 16th home run (with BK) this season.  Brooklyn then pulls within one with a three-run sixth, when, with two runners on base, third baseman Jose Peroza connects for a three-run home run, his first this season.

However, Hudson Valley induces another mood swing when they pull away with single runs in the home sixth and seventh innings for a 7-4 lead.

Then, in the top of the eighth, the Cyclones alter everyone's frame of mind by unleashing a seven-hit barrage including six consecutively, a triple by Jaylen Palmer, and a home run by Jeremy Vasquez, his seventh, all resulting in seven runs and an 11-7 final margin of victory.

Cam Opp allows five runs on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts but escapes with a no-decision.  Next in, Josh Hejka allows a run on two hits and two walks over 2.1 innings.  Winning pitcher Hunter Parsons allows a solo home run and strikes out three over 2.0 innings pitched, and only Brian Metoyer comes out of this contest unscathed with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth.

Brooklyn evens the series against the Renegades at one.  BOXSCORE

Slightest of Mistakes Prove Costly In Brooklyn Cyclones Fourth Consecutive Loss at Wilmington

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN trails WILMINGTON; 4-1

I - BRK 16; WIL5

II - WIL 15; BRK 3

III - WIL 5; BRK 4

IV - WIL 7; BRK 4

V - WIL 1; BRK 0

Taking One For The Team; A Hit By Pitch Leads to the Winning and Only Run of Saturday's Game.

FOR BASEBALL'S BUGS AND CRANKS, AN OTHERWISE OLD-FASHIONED (TEAM-EFFORT) PITCHING DUEL.

BOXSCORE

In a scoreless game and one out in the home sixth, facing Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie, Wilmington center fielder and leadoff batter Armond Upshaw is hit by a pitch.  He steals second and promptly advances to third on an errant throw by catcher Jose Mena.  Upshaw then scores on Jack Dunn's fielder's choice to second base.

Home plate at Frawley Stadium this evening is not to be crossed again.

Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie allows the aforementioned run on just three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.  He faces 22 batters while throwing 87 pitches with 53 (60.9%) going for strikes but unfortunately exits on the losing side of a one-run affair.  Righ-hander Brian Metoyer allows no hits and fans two in 1.1 innings, and Joe Cavallaro closes the game with a scoreless ninth.  All told, Brooklyn pitchers surrender just four hits, no walks, and strike out eight.

Deadlocked at zero, Blue Rock starter Evan Lee exits to a no-decision after working five scoreless innings.  He faces just one batter over the minimum while allowing one hit and no walks with eight strikeouts.  Blue Rock southpaw and game-winning pitcher Alex Troop tosses two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts, after which right-hander Todd Peterson closes the game with two scoreless innings one-hit ball for the save.  

The Cyclones achieve just two hits, draw no walks, fan twelve times, and finish 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.  Right fielder Jaylen Palmer and first baseman Jeremy Vasquez (double) account for Brooklyn's hits.

After Brooklyn's series-opening win, Wilmington has since taken four straight.  However, the Cyclones still own a 10-7 advantage in the season series, including a June six-game sweep of the Blue Rocks.

Brooklyn Cyclones Crash Upon Jersey Shore Like a Tidal Wave; Extend Win Streak To Seven

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

CONEY ISLAND leads JERSEY SHORE; 1-0

I - BK 14; JS 5

It was high tide at Jersey Shore as wave after wave of Brooklyn youth crossed home plate.

Tuesday's series opener begins innocently enough.  Starting behind the plate, Francisco Alvarez singles home Edgardo Fermin in the first, and Blue Claw left fielder Jhailyn Ortiz homers in the second off Cyclone starter Jaison Vilera. 

Typical stuff ...

Brooklyn then scores twice in the third.  Left fielder Joe Suozzi scores from third on a fielder's choice, and Francisco Alvarez drives home his second run.  Afterwhich Jeremy Vasquez homers, leading off the fourth,

... and then the rout begins.

The Cyclones post five runs in the fifth, but Jersey Shore answers with four in the bottom half of the frame.  Jaison Vilera is removed after five runs on seven hits, and no walks with three strikeouts through 4.2 innings.  Right-hander Hunter Parsons takes over mound duty.  Not yet done, the Blankmeyers tack on four more runs in the sixth for a more comfortable 13-5 lead.  Both Edgardo Fermin and Ronny Mauricio hit a pair of home runs respectively in the fifth and sixth innings.

Right-hander Connor O'Neil climbs the bump in the seventh in relief of Parsons and proceeds to throw two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts.

Jersey Shore throws one away in the eighth when Jeremy Vasquez scores on a wild pitch.

Brian Metoyer throws a scoreless ninth to close out the Cyclones' seventh consecutive victory and the first in the series against the Blue Claws.

Edgardo Fermin drives in five of Brooklyn's 14 runs.  Hunter Parsons earns the win.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Queasy After Rollercoaster Ride at Fluor Field

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

2001   20th   2021

ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Drive lead Cyclones; 3-2

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

SUNDAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Greenville Drive

FROM

Fluor Field

After Staging Comeback, Cyclones Come Undone in the Eighth

Second baseman Luke Ritter in the first inning drives home the first Cyclones run of the game, and away they go!  

Or, so we thought ...

Facing Brooklyn starter Jaison Vilera in the fourth, first baseman Tyreque Reed connects on a two-run home run over the center-field fence; catcher Alan Marrero follows with another two-run blast over the Green Monster in left for a 4-1 lead.  Jake Mangum scores on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, then in the eighth dramatically launches his own two-run home run just to the right of the Green Monster, tying the game at four.  

But the sense of joy is short-lived as the proverbial piano falling out of the sky had a Cyclones logo on it.  Greenville generates four runs in the home eighth against reliever Brian Metoyer.  An error in center field by Jake Mangum exacerbated the matter.

Greenville wins their third straight and now leads the series, 3 to 2.  Brooklyn looks to salvage a series split on Sunday.  Ten games into their journey through new territories, the Coney Islanders have lost six and won four. 

• BOXSCORE: Saturday, May 15, 2021; GAME #10

The beach beckons!  Opening Day at MCU Park is now just two days away.  

NOTE: I called the box office on Saturday.  The ticket window will be open as usual.  They will be allowing upwards of 1,500 fans into the park with the stipulation you must be fully vaccinated.

Brooklyn Cyclones Hold On For Second Straight Victory Over Greenville

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Cyclones lead Drive; 2-0

I - BKN 3; GVL 2

WEDNESDAY

Cyclones    3

GREENVILLE  2

FINAL

Strong Pitching and Timely Hitting Lead the Way

The Greenville Drive takes an immediate lead.  Cyclone starter Jose Butto walks the very first batter he faces, then unleashes a wild pitch advancing the runner to second.  After a theft of third base, third baseman  Brandon Howlett doubles home Greenville's first run.  Jose Butto and Greenville starter Brian Van Belle then trade zeroes through the fourth.  Brooklyn finally strikes back for two runs in the fifth; Juan Uriarte leads off with a triple and scores on Antoine Duplantis' single to right.  After a pitching change, Ronny Mauricio drives home Duplantis for a 3-1 lead.  However, in the bottom half of the frame, Brooklyn reliever Brian Metoyer uncorks a wild pitch permitting the base runner at third to score, making it a slim 3-2 Brooklyn advantage.  

• 5/11/2021 BOXSCORE: Game #7

Otherwise, the bullpen makes it stand.  Three Brooklyn relievers join together in limiting the Drive to one unearned run on just two hits and two walks with five strikeouts over the game's final five innings.  Right-hander Mitch Ragan earns a two-inning save.  Jose Butto yields one lone run on just two hits and three walks with six strikeouts through four innings.  All told, Brooklyn pitchers limited the Drive to a pair of runs, one earned, on just four hits and five walks with eleven strikeouts; Brian Metoyer is humbly credited with the victory.  The Cyclones amass eleven hits, bat 5 for 15 with runners on base but leave nine men on base.

 

• Brooklyn climbs a game above par.
• Ronny Mauricio has eight runs batted in through seven games.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Crosscut Again at Williamsport

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

ROAD TRIP

SUNDAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Williamsport Crosscutters

FROM

Centre of Little League Universe

Coney Island Loses Second Straight at Williamsport

Opportunities lost, not to mention nine losses in their last 14 games.  The Cyclones continue slip sliding away it seems.  On Saturday, the Hudson Valley Renegades help Brooklyn's cause with a loss against West Virginia, while Aberdeen likewise obliges with a loss against the Vermont Lake Monsters.  Only the Cyclones are unable to help themselves.

Leading 3-1 after seven and a half, Luis Silva toes the rubber for Brooklyn.  Williamsport right fielder Hunter Hearn and DH Herbert Iser lead-off with consecutive hits.  Silva then walks center fielder Corbin Williams loading the bases.  Silva unleashes a wild pitch allowing Hearn to score, both runners advance into scoring position.  Yet another wild pitch allows Iser to score.  Silva then issues shortstop Bryson Stott an intentional pass, whom promptly steals second.  After walking catcher Logan O'Hoppe manager Alfonzo finally gives Silva the hook.  Brian Metoyer enters the game.  The Crosscutters score a third time on second baseman Kendall Simmons sac-fly plating Williams.  Williamsport's Alejandro Made retires the Cyclones in order in the ninth.  Luis Silva is tagged with the loss upon surrendering three runs on two hits and three walks with one strikeout in just one third of an inning.

Brooklyn gets runs batted in from right fielder Jake Mangum, third baseman baseman Jose Peroza, and second baseman Luke Ritter.

As of close of business Saturday Hudson Valley sits atop the McNamara Division with two games in hand over the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  Otherwise Aberdeen is in yet another mathematical tie for first place.  Brooklyn is now 1.5 games out of first place.  Even Staten Island closes their gap to just 2.5 game out of the lead.  In fact, Staten Island is the hottest team in the division, having gone 7-3 in their last ten.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Fourth Straight

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Cyclones lead Lake Monsters 2-0

I - BRK 2; VER 1

II - BRK 5; VER 1

GAME THREE

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Vermont Lake Monsters

For a second straight night Brooklyn pitching limits the Sea Monsters to a lone run in game two at Burlington, Vermont.  The Cyclones score five times all with two outs off Vermont starter Tyler Baum in the first inning.  Yoel Romero and Luke Ritter hit safely, and Jose Peroza follows with a third straight hit scoring Romero.  Joe Genord then steps in hitting his sixth home run of the season.  The Lake Monsters get one back in the bottom half of the frame on Logan Davidson's first home run of the season.  Brooklyn otherwise shuts them out over the final eight innings of play, and score once more in the ninth for good measure.

Making his first start for Brooklyn, right-hander Michel Otanez is promoted from Kingsport were he posts a 2-2 record and 3.31 ERA with 44 strikeouts through 32.2 innings pitched.  On Saturday against Vermont he faces 21 batters, throwing 79 pitches with 51 (65%) going for strikes.  In winning his first New York-Penn league game he yields just one run on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Jared Biddy and Brian Metoyer combine to pitch four scoreless innings of no-hit baseball with three strikeouts.  Metoyer earns his second save.

That's four straight for the Cyclones.  Brooklyn and Aberdeen end the day locked in a mathematical tie for first place.  With Saturday's loss against the Ironbirds, Hudson Valley falls one full game back.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Staten Island Rats Run Amok at Coney Island

From the desks of:  

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  and  RICHMOND COUNTY PIZZA FRAUDS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS II

Cyclones lead season series 2-1

I - BRK 5; SIY 4

II - BRK 2; SIY 1

III - SIY 10; BRK 3

IV - BRK @ SIY

V - SIY @ BRK

FRIDAY

Staten Island Yankees  10

Brooklyn Cyclones        3

FINAL

After being swept by Brooklyn during last week's home and home opening day series, Staten Island romps to their first victory over the Cyclones at Coney Island on Friday.  Despite striking out seven Yankee batters, Brooklyn starter Jaison Vilera yields five runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk in just four innings of work.  After getting a scoreless no-hit two inning effort from Daniel Goggin, Staten Island roughs up reliever Brian Metoyer for another five earned runs on three hits (one home run) and two walks in just one inning of work.

All nine batters in Staten Island's line-up record at least one hit.  Designated hitter Juan DeLeon (2 for 5, RBI) and first baseman Miguel Flames (2 for 4; home run; four RBI), post multiple hit games.

Brooklyn goes a woeful 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position.  Right fielder Zach Ashford, shortstop Yoel Romero, and third baseman Wilmer Reyes, all drive in one run apiece.

The series shifts to Staten Island for game two on Saturday, then back to Coney Island for the series finale on Sunday.