Brooklyn Cyclones Bow Out of SAL Playoffs

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF

Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Brooklyn Cyclones

I - BKN 8; ABD 1

II - ABD 6; BKN 1

III - ABD 5; BKN 4

Wait Till Next Year ...

Brooklyn's playoff run came to an end Friday night at Aberdeen.  After trading single runs in the fourth, the IronBirds erupted for four runs in the fifth against Junior Santos to knock him out of the box.  Right fielder Stanley Consuegra hit a two-run home run in the sixth, and Jose Peroza homered in the eighth, but the Cyclones fell one run short in the end.  Aberdeen won two in a row at home after bowing at Coney Island in game one.  After posting a 30-36 first-half record and seemingly striking out anywhere from ten to eighteen times a game, the Cyclones turned things around in the second half, reinforced by St. Lucie graduates.  They won the North Division second-half flag with a 40-26 record to finish 70-62 overall.

Aberdeen Ironbirds Defeat Brooklyn Cyclones to Knot Series

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF

Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Brooklyn Cyclones

I - BKN 8; ABD 1

II - ABD 6; BKN 1

Series Tied at One; Decisive Game Three on Friday

The IronBirds brought Brooklyn's momentum to an abrupt halt Thursday evening at Aberdeen.  Facing right-hander Dominic Hamel, the Birds scored early and often, knocking the Cyclone starter out of the box after the fourth.  Hamel allowed five earned runs on five hits and four walks, and the Bird's pitching made it stand.  The Clones were held to four hits and two walks.  Third baseman William Lugo spoiled the shutout with a solo home run in the fifth.  Aberdeen scored against Sammy Tavarez in the seventh inning for a 6-1 lead and the final margin of victory.  The season hangs in the balance for the respective teams, the loser goes home, and the winner advances to the SAL championship series.

Brooklyn Cyclones Defeat Aberdeen IronBirds in SAL Playoff Opener

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF

Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Brooklyn Cyclones

I - BKN 8; ABD 1

Luis Moreno Hurls a Gem; Surf Avenue Sluggers Club Three Home Runs

For the first time in their respective histories, former New York-Penn League rivals, the Aberdeen Ironbirds, and Brooklyn Cyclones, met in the playoffs as members clubs of the (High-A) South Atlantic League.

Facing right-hander Luis Moreno, Aberdeen right fielder Dylan Beavers led off the game with a triple to right field.  Moreno struck out the next two batters swinging, and the third batter was caught looking.  

Second baseman Jose Peroza singled home the game's first run with two outs in the bottom half of the frame.

Ironbird center fielder Jud Fabian tied the game in the visitor's second with a home run to left.  But designated hitter Joe Suozzi promptly answered with a solo shot to end the frame.  Right fielder Stanley Consuegra then singled home a run in the third for a 3-1 Brooklyn lead.

The rest of the score was underwritten by the Surf Avenue insurance company.  

Left fielder Matt Rudick led off the fifth inning with a home run to right, and with one out and Alex Ramirez on base, Jose Peroza homered over the left/center field wall.  For good measure, Joe Suozzi tripled home a pair of runs in the eighth for an 8-1 margin of victory.

• Center fielder Alex Ramirez finished 3 for 5 with three runs scored, and the Cyclones got two-out RBI from Consuegra, Suozzi, and Peroza.

Making his most crucial professional start to date, Luis Moreno hurled a gem, allowing the lone run on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in six innings for the win.  He faced 23 batters and threw 90 pitches, with 59 (65.5%) going for strikes.  

Right-hander Nolan Clenney yielded no hits over two scoreless innings, and Daison Acosta retired the Ironbirds to close the ninth.

• After making nine appearances with St. Lucie, Luis Moreno posted a 2.92 ERA and 1.091 WHiP in 77.0 innings with Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Cyclones Blank Winston-Salem to Clinch Division Flag

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

II - BKN 5; WSD 2

III - BKN 6; WSD 0

IV - BKN 3; WSD 0

Brooklyn Cyclones Clinch First-Ever South Atlantic League Division Flag

With Brooklyn shutting out the Winston-Salem Dash for a second straight game and the Hudson Valley Renegades bowing to the Blue Rocks at Wilmington, the Cyclones clinched the South Atlantic League North Division second-half flag.

Starter Jeffrey Colon hurled a gem.  Making his third start (sixth appearance) for Brooklyn, the right-hander surrendered a mere three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts for his first win as a Cyclone.  Colon faced 22 batters while throwing an economical 68 pitches, with an effective 69.1% (47) going for strikes.  

Serving as Coney's primary closer down the stretch, Daison Acosta tossed two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with one walk and two strikeouts for his tenth save this season.

Winston-Salem starter Luis Moncada matched Colon pitch for pitch but exited with a no-decision after allowing three hits and no walks with three strikeouts over five scoreless innings.  

Dash reliever Haylen Green pitched into and out of trouble in the sixth.  But things went away for Green in the seventh.  With one out, DH Joe Suozzi homered to left field.  With runners on the corners, Alex Ramirez singled home Shervyen Newton, and Jose Peroza knocked home Matt Rudick, giving the Clones a 3-0 lead and their final margin of victory.

Friday night marks Brooklyn's fourth straight win against the Dash, highlighted by back-to-back shutouts.  The Clones are now winners of six in a row and 14 of their last 16 games and improved to a second-half best 40-24 (.625) record and a 70-60 mark overall.

Two games remain in the regular season.  Afterwhich, the Cyclones will take on the first-half champ Aberdeen Ironbirds in the first-round North Division playoff.

Amazin' Starts Here! #LGM Playoff baseball returns to Coney Island - Can You Dig It?!! https://t.co/VWkE7Qq9DM

— The Metsian Podcast with Sam, Rich and Mike (@THEMetsianPod) September 10, 2022

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Third Straight at Winston-Salem

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

II - BKN 5; WSD 2

III - BKN 6; WSD 0

Look What the Cyclones Did to the Dash, Again

Brooklyn opened with three runs in the first inning, and starter Dominic Hamel 

made it stand.  Designated hitter Carlos Rincon doubled home two runs and scored on Stanley Consuegra's single to left field.  Afterwhich, Hamel limited the Dash to four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts through the seventh.  

Hamel faced 25 batters, throwing 97 pitches with 64 (65.9%) going for strikes.  Making his eleventh start with Brooklyn, he improved to 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA.  

The Cyclones added late insurance.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton and Matt Rudick 

knocked home a run in the eighth, and Stanley Consuegra capped off the scoring with an RBI single in the ninth.  

Right-hander Sammy Tavarez yielded no hits and one walk with two strikeouts over the final two innings to preserve the shutout.

That makes three straight wins against Winston-Salem and 13 in their last 15 games.  Hudson Valley shut out the Blue Rocks at Wilmington to remain 1.5 games behind the Cyclones, who now own a magic number of two with three games left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Power Up Against Winston-Salem

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

II - BKN 5; WSD 2

Brooklyn's Magic Number is Three, With Four to Play

The Brooklyn Cyclones remain in control of their destiny.  They took a second straight contest from the Dash on Wednesday and are now winners of 12 of their last 14 games and lead all SAL teams with a second-half 38-24 (.613) record.  Meanwhile, the Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the Blue Rocks at Wilmington to stay within 1.5 games of the Cyclones, with four games left to play.

Winston-Salem took an early lead, manufacturing two runs on three hits off starter Luis Moreno in the first.  But they would score no more.  Moreno limited the Dash to four hits and one walk with five strikeouts over seven innings.  He exited on the winning side thanks to Coney Island's five-run outburst in the third.  

Left fielder Matt Rudick kicked things off with a clutch two-out run-scoring triple, then scored on an Alex Ramirez double to center.  First baseman JT Schwartz drove in Ramirez with a home run to right field, and Jose Peroza went back-to-back with his eighth home run this season.

Right-hander Franklin Sanchez struck out the side in the eighth, and Dylan Hall earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Open Final Series With Victory Over Winston-Salem Dash

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

Better Late Than Never; Cyclones Extend Lead Over Renegades

With Brooklyn making their first-ever visit to Truist Stadium, North Carolina, starter Christian Scott was treated to a rude welcome by the Dash.  After falling behind in the first, Jose Mena singled home JT Schwartz in the top of the second.  But Winston-Salem went ahead again in the bottom half of the frame.  

Despite retiring six of his next seven batters faced, Scott exited after allowing five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings.  

Afterwhich, the bullpen held the Dash scoreless over the final five frames.  Right-hander Trey McGloughlin followed with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball, Nolan Clenney went unscathed through the eighth, and Nathan Lavender hurled a scoreless ninth.

Their efforts were rewarded starting in the seventh when shortstop Shervyen Newton and Matt Rudick delivered home a pair, Stanley Consuegra doubled home a run in the eighth, and Newton smashed a two-run home run in the ninth - his eighth this season.

Brooklyn wins their third consecutive game.  Coupled with Hudson Valley's loss against Wilmington, the Cyclones now own a 1.5 game lead ahead of the Renegades with five games left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Over First Place

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

III - BKN 9; WIL 1

IV - WIL 1; BKN 0

V - BKN 2; WIL 1

VI - BKN 11; WIL 5

Look Who's Number One!

The Cyclones provided fans with one last regular-season thrill on Coney Island.  They scored early, often, and late in a rout of the Wilmington Blue Rocks.  

With three runs in the first and six in the third, starter Mike Vasil was pulled after allowing no runs, no hits, and no walks, with two strikeouts.  Right-hander Junior Santos pitched the next three innings, allowing an unearned run on three hits and no walks with three strikeouts to earn his eighth win.  However, the bullpen suffered a minor implosion, allowing four runs in the ninth inning before Dylan Hall was called upon to secure the final out.  

Replacing Matt Rudick in left field, Justin Guerrera capped off the scoring for Brooklyn with a two-run home run in the eighth.  Right fielder Stanley Consuegra and William Lugo also drove home two runs apiece.  

Brooklyn takes the series from Wilmington four games to two.  They now own the SAL's top second-half record with a 36-24 (.600) mark.  Coupled with Jersey Shore's victory at Dutchess Stadium, the Clones head to Winston-Salem with a half-game division lead ahead of the Renegades with six games left to play.  Hudson Valley must now travel to Wilmington while Brooklyn visits the Dash.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Defeat Wilmington But Gain No Ground

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

III - BKN 9; WIL 1

IV - WIL 1; BKN 0

V - BKN 2; WIL 1

Cyclones Limit Wilmington to Three Hits; Keep Heat on Hudson Valley Renegades

Despite eleven hits, the Cyclones mustered only two runs, but the pitching made it stand.  Shortstop 

Shervyen Newton singled home a run in the second, and after Wilmington tied the game in the top of the fifth, JT Schwartz drove in the game's decisive run in the bottom of the frame.  Starter Jeffrey Colon was relieved after yielding the tying run.  He allowed two hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.  Right-hander Sammy Tavarez followed with 2.1 scoreless innings for the win, and Daison Acosta closed the game with two scoreless innings of no-hit ball for his ninth save.  Up at Dutchess County Stadium, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws were drubbed by the Renegades, who get to spend another night with a half-game lead ahead of the Cyclones, with just seven games left in the season.  Boxscore

Chase for the SAL North Division 2nd half flag continues ... Brandon Nimmo bobblehead .. Coney Island .. Can You Dig It?! Let's Go Cyclones #LGM pic.twitter.com/e2YiC28pnG

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) September 3, 2022

Brooklyn Cyclones Lose Extra-Inning Pitcher's Duel to Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

III - BKN 9; WIL 1

IV - WIL 1; BKN 0*

*10 innings

Cyclones Suffer Heartbreaking Loss; Cede First Place Back to Hudson Valley Renegades

With first place on the line, a crowd of 3,894 was made to wait out an old-fashioned pitcher's duel as both Wilmington and Brooklyn twirlers served up goose eggs for nine full innings.  

The Blue Rocks went the opener's route, with Evan Lee getting the start and exiting after allowing three hits and no walks with three strikeouts through the second inning.  Three relievers combined to limit the Cyclones to a pair of hits over the next seven innings.  

Brooklyn starter Dominic Hamel effectively hurled a gem, holding the Blue Rocks to three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.  Right-hander Nolan Clenney followed with four strikeouts in two scoreless frames.

Then into extra innings on Coney Island, they went.

Southpaw Nathan Lavender was tasked with pitching the tenth.  The ghost runner was bunted over to third, then scored on Cody Wilson's base hit - simple as that.  

In the bottom of the tenth, Wilmington's Orlando Ribalta set down the Cyclones in order and struck out Jaylen Palmer to end the game.

Coupled with Hudson Valley's victory over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the Renegades regain a half-game lead ahead of the Cyclones with eight games left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Defeat Wilmington Blue Rocks to Remain in First Place

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

III - BKN 9; WIL 1

Luis Moreno Hurls Gem at Wilmington Blue Rocks

Making his 14th start, Luis Moreno hurled a gem to keep the Cyclones a step ahead in the standings over the Hudson Valley Renegades.  The right-hander faced 23 Wilmington batters while throwing 84 pitches, with 56 (66.6%) going for strikes.  Moreno allowed three hits and no walks with six strikeouts in seven innings pitched for the win.  Right-hander Daison Acosta tossed a scoreless eighth in relief, and Daniel Juarez closed out the ninth despite yielding an unearned run.  Catcher Matt O'Neill was the big man on campus, going 2 for 3 with a walk, three runs batted in, and three runs scored, and first baseman JT Schwartz was 3 for 5 with two runs batted in.

Jersey Shore provided no help, getting shut out by the Renegades.  With nine games left in the regular season, the Cyclones own a precarious half-game lead over the Renegades.

Wilmington Blue Rocks Pound Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

Cyclone Bullpen Suffers Late-Inning Rock Slide

Everything started so marvelously.  Second baseman Jose Peroza singled home Brooklyn's first run, catcher Jose Mena hit a three-run home run to left field, William Lugo followed with a solo shot to center, and the Cyclones were off and running with a 5-0 first-inning lead.  

Wilmington scored once in the third, but Matt Rudick gave Brooklyn a 6-1 lead in the fourth.  

Starter Christian Scott was removed after the fourth, allowing one run on six hits and no walks with six strikeouts.  

Afterwhich, the bullpen suffered a significant implosion.  The Blue Rocks rallied for two runs in the sixth, two in the seventh, and six in the eighth, highlighted by Leandro Emiliani's grand slam.  The Cyclones' only response was William Lugo's RBI single in the seventh.  Right-hander Dylan Hall both suffered a blown save and took the loss.  

But there's good news!  Our Jersey Shore neighbors swept a double-header from our northern rivals at Dutchess County Stadium.  Thanks to the BlueClaws, Brooklyn gained a half-game lead in the standings ahead of the Renegades with only ten left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Gain Share of First Place With Victory Over Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

Bullpen Continues Closing Out Crucial Wins

While rain suspended play up in Hudson Valley, the Cyclones staged another thriller here on Coney Island.  They continued seizing the day with their seventh straight victory.

Facing starter Junior Santos, the visitors from Wilmington tallied an unearned run in the first inning.  Otherwise, Santos was on the mark, allowing no earned runs on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings.  He exited on the winning side after facing 24 batters and throwing 95 pitches, with 63 (66.3%) going for strikes.  

In the fourth, Stanley Consuegra singled home JT Schwartz, and Jose Mena doubled home Consuegra giving Brooklyn a 2-1 lead.

The bullpen made it stand.  In relief of Santos, right-hander Nolan Clenney followed with 2.1 scoreless innings of no-hit ball with no walks and five strikeouts.  Enter Daison Acosta for the ninth.  After striking out the leadoff batter, Acosta yielded three consecutive singles to load the bases.  But Daison regrouped, caught the next batter looking at strike three, then ran the count to 2-2 before striking out the final Blue Rock batter of the game.  Junior Santos earned the win, and Acosta the save, his eighth.

Tuesday's game at Dutchess County Stadium was suspended in the fifth, with Jersey Shore leading the Renegades by a 7-4 margin.  As such, the Cyclones pull into a first-place tie with Hudson Valley with eleven games remaining on the schedule.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Complete Sweep at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4

III - BK 8; JS 5

IV - BK 7; JS 5

V - BK 8; JS 3

VI - BK 18; JS 1

Cyclones Wipe Out Jersey Shore

Brooklyn wrapped up their business at Jersey Shore with a rout of the BlueClaws.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton cleared the bases in the second with a three-run double.  The Cyclones added four in the third on Stanley Consuegra's two-run dinger and runs batted in by Matt O'Neill and Matt Rudick for a seven-run lead.  Third baseman William Lugo followed with a three-run home run in the fourth.  

Afterwhich, the tide went out on the rest of Jersey Shore's pitching.  The Cyclones scored seven times in the fifth inning on three hits, five walks, and a hit-by-pitch, then tacked one more run for good measure in the visitor's ninth.  Lugo was the big man on campus, going 4 for 6 with four runs batted in and four runs scored.  Newton was 3 for 4 with two walks, a double, four runs batted in, and two runs scored, and catcher Matt O'Neill had three runs batted in.

Starter Keyshawn Askew walked the bases loaded in the first inning and, with two outs, was removed from the game.  Into the fray entered Nathan Lavender, who secured out number three.  Lavender continued to hurl three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball with seven strikeouts.  The Blue Claws spoiled the shutout against Jeffrey Colon in the sixth.  Otherwise, Colon allowed three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over the final five innings.  Lavender earned the win, and Colon the save.  Together, Brooklyn limited the BlueClaws to four hits, and three walks, with 17 strikeouts to complete the series sweep at ShoreTown Ballpark.  BOXSCORE

Up at Dutchess County Stadium, the Hickory Crawdads blew a 6-4 lead through the fifth.  Hudson Valley answered with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh en route to a 9-7 win.  The 'Gades retain its half-game lead over the Cyclones with only two series and twelve games left in the season.  The Aberdeen Ironbirds lost at Wilmington to fall 2.5 games back of the Renegades.  If the Renegades or Cyclones win the second-half flag, they will meet the first-half champs from Aberdeen.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Fifth Straight Against Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4

III - BK 8; JS 5

IV - BK 7; JS 5

V - BK 8; JS 3

Cyclones Win Fifth Straight at Jersey Shore, But the Renegades Cede No Ground

Coney Island keeps stemming the tide at Jersey Shore, but for a fourth time in five games the Renegades defeated the Crawdads, while the Ironbirds took care of the Blue Rocks, and so all remains as it was, again.  The Cyclones trail Hudson Valley by one half game, and Aberdeen trails Brooklyn by one full game.  Sound familiar..?

The season grows shorter as three teams vy for the second-half North Division flag.  Coney Island on Saturday won their fifth straight against Jersey Shore, but the Renegades continue to do the same against the Hickory Crawdads.  

After tossing goose eggs through the fourth, starter Dominic Hamel walked a batter with the bases loaded, and an ensuing two-run single drew the BlueClaws within a run of tying the game at four.  But Jersey Shore would score no more.  Southpaw Daniel Juarez entered in the sixth and Sammy Tavarez followed.  Together, they hurled 2.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball.  Afterwhich, Daison Acosta secured the final five outs to nail down his seventh save, with Juarez earning the victory, his first in three appearances for Brooklyn.  

Five Cyclones weilded two hits each as part of a 13-hit attack.  First baseman JT Schwartz went 2 for 4 with two runs batted in and second baseman Jose Peroza knocked in his team-leading 46th run batted in.  BOXSCORE

 

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Slugfest at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4

III - BK 8; JS 5

IV - BK 7; JS 5

Cyclones Take Fourth Straight at ShoreTown Ballpark

Coney Island keeps stemming the tide at Jersey Shore, but the Renegades defeated the Crawdads, and the Ironbirds took care of the Blue Rocks, and so all remains as it was.  The Cyclones trail Hudson Valley by one half game, and Aberdeen trails Brooklyn by one full game.

The North Division contending Cyclones scored early and often.  Second baseman Jose Peroza clubbed a two-run home run, and Stanley Consuegra's RBI single gave Brooklyn a prompt first-inning 3-0 lead.  They added a run on a wild pitch in the second, and third baseman Jaylen Palmer followed with what later proved to be a decisive three-run round-tripper in the third for a seven-run advantage.

Sure enough, the game's momentum completely changed on a dime.  Three Jersey Shore bullpen members held the Cyclones scoreless over the final six frames while the BlueClaws lineup started pressing matters at the plate.

Coney Island starter Luis Moreno surrendered a solo home run in the fourth and another in the sixth but completed the frame to exit on the winning side after allowing four total hits and striking out five.  

Making his second relief appearance for the Cyclones, right-hander Trey McGloughlin surrendered a two-out, three-run home run in the seventh but settled down to pitch a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to close the game and earn his first save.

The Cyclones improved to a 30-22 second-half record and a 60-58 mark overall.  They have fourteen games left on their schedule: two against Jersey Shore, a penultimate series at home against Wilmington, and the season finale at Winston-Salem.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Third Straight at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4

III - BK 8; JS 5

Nolan Clenney Slows Jersey Shore's Roll 

Brooklyn won a much-needed third straight game against Jersey Shore.  They got no help from the Hickory Crawdads.  Thus Hudson Valley remains a one-half game ahead of the Cyclones, who now own second place to themselves, as the Aberdeen Ironbirds bowed to Wilmington.

The Cyclones opened with a four-run second inning.  First baseman JT Schwartz homered, and 

Shervyen Newton, Matt Rudick, and the Mets' Eduardo Escobar each drove in runs.  The 'Clones scored again on an error in the third, and Jose Peroza singled home a run in the top of the fourth to give Coney Island a 6-0 lead.  Jersey Shore countered with three in the home fourth and one in the fifth.  Afterwhich, the teams traded single runs in the sixth, staking Brooklyn to a 7-5 lead.  

Shortstop Shervyen Newton continues to be the big man on campus, hitting his third home run in as many games in the eighth; it was his seventh with Brooklyn and his eleventh overall.  

Making his third start, Christian Scott escaped with a no-decision after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings.  Right-hander Franklin Sanchez gained the victory despite allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in 2.1 innings pitched.  

The real hero of the game was Nolan Clenney, who yielded three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over the final three innings for the save.  BOXSCORE

• Rehabbing from a strained oblique, New York Mets infielder Eduardo Escobar started at shortstop and finished 2 for 4 at the plate, with one run batted in and one run scored.

Brooklyn Cyclones Outlast Jersey Shore BlueClaws in Extra Innings

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4*

*10 innings

Resilient Cyclones Win in Tenth Inning

The Cyclones and BlueClaws played a barnburner at ShoreTown Ballpark.  

With two outs and two runners on base in the top of the first, right-fielder Stanley Consuegra singled home the game's opening run.  In a presage of things to come, Jersey Shore answered with two runs in the home third.  After a scoreless fourth inning, shortstop Shervyen Newton homered to left field with catcher Matt O'Neill on base.  But Brooklyn's slim lead did not last, as the BlueClaws tallied a run in the home sixth facilitated by a Matt O'Neill throwing error.  

The deadlock then remained unchanged through the eighth.  

Both starting pitchers exited to no decisions.  Brooklyn's Junior Santos allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings.  Jersey Shore southpaw Rafael Marcano yielded three earned runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings.

Cyclone right-hander Dylan Hall delivered 2.1 scoreless innings of no-hit baseball with two strikeouts to complete the eighth.  Two BlueClaw relievers joined in tossing 3.0 innings of one-hit ball with six strikeouts.

Then came the ninth.  Stanley Consuegra homered over the left field wall leading off the visitor's half.  Manager Rivera then summoned from the bullpen right-hander Daison Acosta to close.  But the game was again tied with a leadoff hit, a walk, and two sacrifice plays later.

In the top of the tenth, with Matt O'Neill, the ghost runner at second, Shervyen Newton singled, putting runners on the corners.  O'Neill then scored on Matt Rudick's sac-fly to right, giving Brooklyn a 5-4 lead.

Daison Acosta again climbed the bump.  With the ghost runner on base, Acosta fanned the first batter faced, then issued an intentional walk, followed by an unintentional four-pitch walk that loaded the bases.  Acosta regrouped to strike out the next batter, then ended the game on a groundball 3 to1 putout at first base for the win.

The Cyclones held on for another crucial win.  They've re-achieved par with a 58-58 season record and improved to 28-22 in the second half.  Wednesday night's victory keeps Brooklyn on pace with first-place Hudson Valley, who still lead the division by one-half game, and Aberdeen, who again defeated Wilmington to remain tied in second place with Coney Island.

Brooklyn Cyclones Shut Out Jersey Shore in Series Opener

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

Cyclones Gain a Full Game on Hudson Valley

Coney Island secured a crucial victory Tuesday night at Jersey Shore.  Coupled with Hudson Valley's loss against the Hickory Crawdads, the Cyclones pulled to within one half-game of the first-place Renegades.  Meanwhile, Aberdeen had their way with Wilmington to remain tied with Brooklyn.

Making his third start for Brooklyn, southpaw Keyshawn Askew allowed three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings for his first win as a Cyclone.  In his third appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Jeffrey Colon took care of the rest, tossing three scoreless innings of no-hit ball over the final three innings to preserve the shutout and earn the save.

Shortstop Shervyen Newton struck the decisive blow in the second inning, a two-run home run over the left/center field fence.  The score remained unchanged until JT Schwartz scored on a fielder's choice in the sixth.  For good measure, Alex Ramirez doubled home two runs, and Schwartz doubled home another as part of a four-run ninth inning for a 7-0 margin of victory.  BOXSCORE

Hudson Valley Renegades Hand Brooklyn Cyclones Crushing Defeat in Extra Innings

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - HVR 7; BKN 4

II - BKN 7; HVR 5

III - HVR 11; BKN 4

IV - BKN 3; HVR 2

V - HVR 5; BKN 0

VI - HVR 9; BKN 3*

*10-innings

No Joy on Coney Island

This was easily Brooklyn's most crushing defeat against Hudson Valley this season, if not the last two seasons.  The Cyclones got off on the right foot when catcher Jose Mena singled home a run in the second.  Then began the tug-of-war.  Hudson Valley scored twice in the third, but the Cyclones tied the game on Jose Mena's home run in the fourth.  The Renegades quickly reclaimed a 3-2 lead in the fifth.  Second baseman Jose Peroza then singled home the tying run in the seventh.  Afterwhich, the score remained unchanged through the ninth.  After securing the last two outs in the previous inning, Dylan Hall climbed the bump again for the tenth.  Only this time, the rope snapped.  The Renegades scored six times, highlighted by left fielder Aaron Palensky's grand slam home run.  Brooklyn was retired in order in the bottom half of the frame.  The Cyclones now fall into a second-place tie with the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  Both trail the Renegades by 1.5 games in the (second-half) standings with 18 games left in the season.  BOXSCORE