Long Island Ducks Hurl Shutout Over Staten Island Ferry Hawks

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

Stephen Tarpley, Ducks Bullpen Outduel Ferry Hawks in Series Opener on Staten Island

The battle of the birds resumed at Richmond County grounds on Tuesday.  

Left-hander Stephen Tarpley climbed the hill for Long Island, and seven-year independent league veteran Dakota Freese started for the host Ferry Hawks.  Both pitchers held the opposition scoreless through the first four innings, each allowing just two hits, respectively.

The Ferry Hawks threatened in the fifth, but with runners on the corners and one out, catcher Bryan Gonzalez bounced into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.

Long Island finally broke through in the sixth.  Recently acquired Phil Caulfield drew a one-out walk and soon scored on Alejandro De Aza's fielder's choice to second.

Staten Island threatened again in the home sixth with three consecutive singles to load the bases.  But with one out, Stephen Tarpley struck out center fielder Ricardo Cespedes for out number two, then fanned Dilson Herrera on five pitches to end the frame.

Ferry Hawk manager Edgardo Alfonzo handed the ball over to reliever Eddy Reynoso in the seventh.  

Starter Dakota Freese allowed one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings. 

The Ducks promptly put two runners on base on an E-5 and a hit-by-pitch.  Reynoso gathered himself and struck out Dustin Woodcock for out number two.  Shortstop Vladimir Frias popped out to Dilson Herrera in foul territory to end the threat.

Flock skipper Wally Backman summoned right-hander Nick Goody from the bullpen for the bottom of the seventh.  

Starter Stephen Tarpley allowed six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings pitched.  He faced 23 batters while throwing 90 pitches, with 57 (63.3%) going for strikes.

Alejandro De Aza was hit with a pitch in the eighth and left the game.  It was the second batter hit by Eddy Reynoso.  It gave the Ducks runners on first and second with no outs.  With Sam Travis at the plate, L.J. Mazzilli got thrown out at third on the front end of an attempted double steal.  Travis then bounced back to the pitcher.

Southpaw Tyler Webb entered the game in the bottom of the eighth in relief of Nick Goody.

Right-hander Joe Kuzia pitched a scoreless top half of the ninth for Staten Island.

Former Arizona Diamondback farmhand Kai-Wei Lin was tasked by Wally Backman with closing out the ninth, and he did not disappoint, retiring the side in order and striking out the last man looking.

Three Staten Island pitchers limited the Ducks to just three hits.  Dakota Freese took the loss.  

Stephen Tarpley improves to 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA.

The Ducks and Ferry Hawks have now played ten games this season, with Long Island winning seven and Staten Island three.  However, the teams are even at 3-3 over their last six meetings.

• BOXSCORE

Long Island Ducks Win First Contest Against Staten Island Ferry Hawks

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

BATTLE of NEW YORK

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

First Meeting is a Classic; Ducks Outlast Ferry Hawks in Old-Fashioned Pitcher's Duel

A rivalry is born.  Tuesday, May 17, marked the first-ever game between New York's two independents, the Long Island Ducks and the expansion Staten Island Ferry Hawks.  

Mets fans are very familiar with the respective team managers.  Both are all-time favorites.  Second baseman for the 1986 champs, Wally Backman, is entering his fourth season as skipper of the Ducks.  Representing the 2000 N.L. champions, Edgardo Alfonzo was named the first manager in Ferry Hawks history.

The two Atlantic League teams inaugurated their rivalry with an old-fashioned pitcher's duel.  

Entering his third season with the Ducks, Brooklyn native Anderson DeLeon held the Ferry Hawks scoreless on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Southpaw Brady Feigl threw a scoreless sixth inning in relief of DeLeon.  Left-hander Cody Beckman entered the game in relief of Brady Feigl and tossed a scoreless top half of the seventh.

Staten Island right-hander Matt Solten yielded no runs on five hits and no walks with two strikeouts over his first six innings.  The Ducks loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth but left all runners stranded.  Long Island threatened again in the seventh, but Matt Solden induced shortstop Devin Marrero into an inning-ending 1-4-3 double play.

Wally Backman summoned Joe Iorio to pitch the top of the eighth and was rewarded with another scoreless frame.

Edgardo Alfonzo likewise turned to his bullpen, calling upon southpaw Chris Nunn in the bottom half of the eighth.

Second baseman Vladimir Frias led off with a bloop single to shallow right field.  Center fielder 

Alejandro De Aza advanced the runner.  First baseman Sam Travis reached safely on a strikeout/wild pitch, and Frias advanced to third.  Chris Nunn then walked Deibinson Romero to load the bases.  Designated hitter Rusney Castillo struck out looking.  With two outs, L.J. Mazzilli drew a base on balls to break the scoreless tie.

Long Island left-hander Tyler Webb was tasked with pitching the ninth and did not disappoint.  Staten Island put the tying run on second base but advanced no farther.

Joe Iorio earns the win, and Chris Nunn takes the loss.  BOXSCORE

The Metsian Podcast Post-Trade Deadline Special with The Record's Justin Toscano

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

GUEST
Mets Beat Writer

THE RECORD NorthJersey.com

JUSTIN TOSCANO

Trade Deadline Reaction

Kumar Rocker ~ Michael Conforto ~ Jacob deGrom ~ Javier Baez

Mets Hall of Fame Inductees

and so much more!

A Metsian Podcast Quarantine Book Review Party: The New York Mets All-Time All-Stars by Brian Wright

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

Brian Wright 

author

THE NEW YORK METS ALL-TIME ALL STARS 

The Best Players At Each Position For The Amazin's

100 minutes

Thirty Players

58 Years of Memories

A Romp Through Mets History

Brooklyn Cyclones Win 2019 New York Penn League Championship

From the desk of: McNAMARA DIVISION & NYPL CHAMPIONS

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Brooklyn Defeats Lowell; 2-1

I - BRK 2; LOW 1

II - LOW 3; BRK 1

III - BRK 4; LOW 3

BROOKLYN WINS FIRST UNDISPUTED BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SINCE 1955

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

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

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

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

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

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

ICYMI

Cyclones Defeat Renegades; Earn Trip Back to Championship Series

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

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019

CYCLONES STARTER NATHAN JONES TAKES HIS WARM-UPS

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

BOTTOM FIRST

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

THIRD INNING

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

TOP SEVENTH

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

BOTTOM SEVENTH

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

TOP NINTH

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

THIS IS NEXT YEAR!!

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

Brooklyn Cyclones One Win Away From New York Penn League Title

From the desk of: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Brooklyn Cyclones  2

Lowell Spinners       1

FINAL

LeLacheur Park

Brooklyn pitchers throw another gem and the Cyclones win another nail biter to close within one game of capturing the 2019 New York Penn League championship.

Cyclones starter Garrison Bryant pitches brilliantly, allowing no runs on just one hit and three walks with one strikeout through six innings pitched.  He faces 22 batters while throwing 75 pitches with 46 going for strikes, but does not factor in the decision.  Brooklyn and Lowell duel to a scoreless tie through seven.  Jared Biddy throws two scoreless innings of no-hit ball in relief of Bryant.  Lowell starter Brock Bell and reliever Jorge Rodriguez match Brooklyn with seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball with six strikeouts through seven.  With Lowell's Tom Windle in to pitch the eighth, Brooklyn finally breaks through for a pair on runs batted in from Antoine Duplantis and pinch-hitter Jose Peroza.  Manager Alfonzo hands the game off to Matt Mulenbach in the ninth.  But with one out he walks designated hitter Joe Davis, and with two outs he walks right fielder Nick Decker.  Manager Alfonzo then turns to Reyson Santos who induces pinch-hitter Roldano Baldwin into a game ending force play at second.  Biddy is credited with the win, and Santos earns the biggest save of his young career.  New York Mets 2019 first round draft pick Brett Baty goes 2 for 3 with a run scored.

This marks Brooklyn's first championship series appearance since 2010, but more significantly marks their first championship game victory since 2001, when after defeating the Crosscutters in game one at Williamsport the tragic events of 9/11 force the rest of the series to be canceled.  Brooklyn and Williamsport are declared co-champions.  After which the Cyclones are swept in 2003 by the Crosscutters; swept in 2007 by the Auburn Doubledays; and swept again in 2010 by the Tri-City Valley Cats.

They have yet to win a championship outright.

The Cyclones now have two opportunities to win one game at Coney Island.

Round One

Cyclones defeat Renegades

ICYMI:

Cyclones Earn Trip Back To Championsip Series

Last Chance For Gas On Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Ya Gotta Believe,

But For How Long?

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

FEATURING

Sam and I minus Rich

@THE_SamMaxwell     @BTB_MikeII     @MetFanRich

sixty-eight minutes

STUFF

LAST TWELVE GAMES: ATL; CHI; PHI; WAS

NEXT TEN GAMES: PHI; ARZ; LAD

Pete Alonso ~ Wilson Ramos ~ Michael Conforto ~ Robinson Cano

Edwin Diaz ~ Jeurys Familia ~ Paul Seward

Noah Syndergaard ~ Steven Matz ~ Zack Wheeler

Brooklyn Cyclones ~ Edgardo Alfonzo ~ Jed Lowrie ~ Syracuse Mets

Jerry Koosman ~ Ed Lynch ~ Mickey Callaway

Ya Gotta Believe ~ and so much more!

#LGM

Brooklyn Cyclones Tie For Wild Card Lead With Two Games Left

From the desks of: 

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  &  THE RICHMOND COUNTY RATS

Battle of the Boroughs

NATIONAL ANTHEM

LABOR DAY WEEKEND BEGINS

SATURDAY

Staten Island Yankees     2

Brooklyn Cyclones        11

FINAL

First Pitch

With everything riding on these next three games, Brooklyn seizes game one with an 11-2 triumph over the Staten Island Yankees at old Steeplechase Grounds.  The teams waste little time trading runs in the first.  In the second Staten Island takes a 2-1 lead on a lead-off single from left fielder Pat DeMarco, and a follow up double from right fielder Juan DeLeon against Cyclones starter Matthew Allan.  Luke Ritter doubles leading off the fourth and eventually scores via a pair of effectively productive sacrifice fly outs.  Brooklyn pushes two more runs across the plate in the sixth on doubles from Robinson Cano and Joe Genord and a gift error by Yankees third baseman Andres Chaparro.  Catcher Jose Mena is struck by a pitch leading off the seventh.  After which the Cyclones bats strike back with seven runs on five hits highlighted by Joe Genord's three run blast off Yankees reliever Marcus Evey.

(RHP) MATTHEW ALLAN

Mets Third Round Selection 2019 June Draft

Promoted from the GCL Mets, Matthew Allan makes his Brooklyn Cyclones debut Saturday afternoon against the Yankees.  The plan heading in called for a brief appearance.  In turn he faces eleven batters and throw 34 pitches with 25 (73%) going for pitches.  Nice on paper, in fact the very first batter he faces, second baseman and lead-off hitter Ezequiel Duran, fans looking at a very nifty curve ball.  But Allan winds up yielding two earned runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts through two innings pitched.

Hand out gold stars to the four Cyclones relievers who join together in pitching seven scoreless innings of three hit ball with ten strikeouts in relief of starter Matthew Allan.  Mitch Ragan picks up his third victory for a scoreless sixth and seventh inning with three strikeouts.

ROBINSON CANO

New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano's compromised hamstring is coming along far quicker than anyone anticipated.  He makes the start at second for Brooklyn against the Yankees and is generally received well by the Brooklyn crowd.  Robinson  reciprocates the warm welcome by going 2 for 4 with a double, run scored, and a run batted in.

CANO in the FIELD

3B - BRETT BATY

Mets First Round Selection 2019 June Draft

Brett Baty also makes his Brooklyn debut with the Cyclones.  He is promoted from (rookie) Kingsport where he hit six home runs with 22 RBI in 42 games and 156 at-bats.  He goes 0 for 3 with a walk, and a run scored.

LUKE RITTER at the PLATE

Designated hitter Luke Ritter and Joe Genord are big men on campus.  Ritter is 3 for 5 with a double, three runs scored, and four runs batted in.  Genord goes 2 for 2 with his ninth home run of the season, and five runs batted in.  Unlike their parent club of late, the Cyclones are 7 for 15 with RiSP, and leave only five runners on base.

Manager Edgardo Alfonzo

Hudson Valley defeats the Aberdeen Ironbirds at Dutchess County.  The Renegades score early and often, then pour it on again in the late innings for good measure.  They batter Aberdeen pitching for 16 hits and nine runs.  In turn the Renegades limit Ironbird hitters to just one run on a mere three hits.

Now what?

• New York Penn League

Hudson Valley is alone in first place of the McNamara Division, with Brooklyn and Aberdeen tied for second just one game back.  Scenario two: the Brooklyn Cyclones and Aberdeen Ironbirds are now tied for the wild card lead.  With Friday's loss against the Cyclones the Staten Island Yankees are eliminated from the division race.  However, they're still alive in the wild card chase albeit a precarious 1.5 games back of the Cyclones and Ironbirds with just two games left.  Sunday brings a new day but the mission remains the same.  Now that the Renegades have jumped out to a series lead, Brooklyn needs Hudson Valley to complete the sweep.  In the meantime Brooklyn must continue handling their business against the Yankees.  The series shifts to the Ballpark at St. George for game two on Sunday.

Brooklyn Cyclones: And Then There Were Ten

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Cyclones Lead Series 2-1

I - CON 1; BRK 0

II - BRK 4; CON 0

III - BRK 5; CON 0

SATURDAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Connecticut Tigers

FROM

THE DODD

With just ten games left in the regular season both the McNamara Division and Wild Card remain up for grabs.  On Thursday Brooklyn bows to the Connecticut Tigers in a rain shortened five inning game.  First baseman Joe Genord records the Cyclones lone hit of the night.  Meanwhile starter Frank Valentino is once again the hard luck loser upon yielding just one earned run on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts through 4.2 innings pitched.  Heavy storms continue through the evening postponing game two of a scheduled double-header (stemming from yet another 7/22 PPD).

On Friday the teams finally play two at the Dodd where pitching wins the day.  Brooklyn hurlers join forces on back to back shutout efforts over the Tigers yielding a mere six total hits through 18 innings pitched.

Michel Otanez starts game one throwing 4.1 innings of scoreless one-hit ball with three walks and three strikeouts.  Mitch Ragan enters in relief of Otanez, allowing no runs on two hits with a strikeout.  Josh Hejka then pitches a scoreless ninth.  Ragan earns his second win of the season to go along with a 2.32 ERA.  Otanez lowers his ERA to a 2.49 mark.  Brooklyn gets runs batted in from Luke Ritter, and Joe Genord, and Wilmer Reyes hits his fifth home run of the season en route to a 4-0 Cyclones final.

• Game one marks Edgardo Alfonzo's 100th victory as manager of the Cyclones.

In game two Brooklyn and Norwich duel through six scoreless innings before the Cyclones finally break through for five runs in the top half of the seventh.  Tigers starter Jack O'Loughlin stymies Cyclones batters through six full, yielding just three hits and two walks while fanning six.  Coming off Wednesday's NYPL all-star game, Brooklyn starter Dan Goggin is limited to a pair of innings during which he allows just one hit, but walks three and fans four.  Hunter Parsons pitches two innings in relief of Goggin allowing just one hit and one walk while fanning six.  Jared Biddy is then tasked with pitching the final three innings.  He faces nine batters, yields one hit, walks none and fans four in completing Brooklyn's second straight whitewashing of the Tigers.  The Cyclones three combine for a three-hit, 14-strikeout effort.  Biddy now sports a stellar 0.40 ERA through eleven appearances and 22.1 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts.  Ranfy Adon is big man on campus going 3 for 3 with a run batted in.  Wilmer Reyes drives in his 25th run of the season.

The Cyclones enter Saturday's McNamara Division race tied with Aberdeen in second place one game behind first place Hudson Valley.  Meanwhile Brooklyn and Aberdeen are now tied for the wild card.  Staten Island loses their second straight to Aberdeen, getting limited to just six hits and no runs against the Ironbirds on Friday.  In fact Aberdeen are winners of three straight.

• New York Penn League

Brooklyn Cyclones Swept Away at Williamsport

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Crosscutters Sweep Cyclones 3-0

I - WPT 1; BKN 0

II - WPT 4; BKN 3

III - WPT 4; BKN 3

THE UNHAPPY RECAP: Cyclones Trip and Fall, Lose Frank Valentino Gem at BB&T Ballpark.

All starts out well for the Cyclones.  After three scoreless innings of play shortstop Wilmer Reyes leads-off the fourth with a bunt single up the third base line.  Designated hitter Yoel Romero follows with a single to right.  With one out and two runners in scoring position second baseman Luke Ritter singles them home.

Brooklyn picks up a much needed insurance run in the eighth.  Leading off Wilmer Reyes reaches safely on yet another bunt single.  Yoel Romero bunts him over to second, then Joe Genord gets hits with a pitch.  With two outs and runners on the corners Jose Peroza singles through the right side scoring Reyes from third for a 3-0 Cyclones lead.

Starter Frank Valentino yields no runs on just one hit and no walks with seven strikeouts through six innings pitched.  He faces 20 batters while throwing 76 pitches with 51 (67%) going for strikes.

Mitch Ragan enters the game in relief of Valentino in the seventh.

Crosscutters second baseman Nicolas Torres leads off the bottom half of the eighth with Williamsport's second hit of the game.  With one out third baseman Jake Holmes singles putting runners on the corners.  Center fielder Corbin Williams follows with yet another base hit to right scoring Torres.  With two outs and runners on the corners manager Alfonzo summons Dan Goggin from the bullpen.  Shortstop Bryson Stott greets Ragan's replacement with a sharp hit to left plating both runners and tying the game at three.  Designated hitter Kendall Simmons draws a walk loading the bases, and out comes manager Edgardo Alfonzo for another mound visit.  Goggin stays in the game and retires first baseman Rudy Rott on a grounder to second.

The Cyclones go down quietly in the top of the ninth.  With one out in the bottom half of the frame, Goggin yields consecutive hits to Nicolas Torres and catcher Mitchell Edwards.  Jake Holmes goes down swinging for out number two.  Goggin then walks Corbin Williams on five pitches loading the bases.  Manager Alfonzo makes no move.  Left fielder Johan Rojas ends the game with a base hit through the middle, as Torres crosses the plate with the winning run.

Frank Valentino's gem is wasted.

BLOWN OPPORTUNITIES: Two Weekends Ago the Ironbirds Were Perched Atop the Division.  Last Weekend the Cyclones Were Number One.  This Weekend Hudson Valley Takes Its Turn in First Place.

The McNamara Division standings remain tight as a tourniquet.  As they approach the 50-game mark all four teams are playing above the .500 mark.

• Hudson Valley   28-19
• Aberdeen           28-21  1 GB
• Brooklyn            26-22   2.5 GB
• Staten Island     26-22   2.5 GB

Vermont defeats the Ironbirds at Aberdeen.  But Hudson Valleys rallies late to overtake West Virginia.  The Cyclones meanwhile are now losers of three straight and fall into a tie with the surging Staten Island Yankees, whom by the way are winners of three straight.  Next up, the Cyclones host three games at Coney Island against the first place Renegades.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Opening Day Match-Up Over Rival Staten Island

From the desks of: 

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  and  THE RICHMOND COUNTY RATS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

OPENING DAY

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM 

CONEY ISLAND

Brooklyn Cyclones baseball is underway.  The Surf Avenue Sluggers open the 2019 season with a victory over the rival Staten Island Yankees Friday night at Coney Island.  Manager Edgardo Alfonzo tasked right-hander Daison Acosta with starting opening day.  The soon to be 21-year old yielded one earned run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts through 4.1 innings pitched.

In the bottom of the fourth, first baseman Joseph Genord connected on his first home run as a professional.  In the sixth, third baseman Nic Gaddis doubled home a run, and DH Jose Medina doubled home two more giving the Cyclones a 4-1 lead through six.  After the teams traded runs in the seventh, the Yankees threatened with two more runs in the eighth.  But Brooklyn reliever Brian Metoyer would pitch a scoreless ninth to secure Coney Island's 5-4 victory over Staten Island, and earn his first save of the season.  Luis Silva whom entered in the fifth in relief of Daison was credited with the win.  Cyclones pitchers were also erratic, unleashing five wild pitches, hitting a batsman, and committing a balk.

Staten Island starter Charlie Ruegger pitched well, albeit in defeat, surrendering just one earned run on three hits and no walks with five strikeouts.  Austin Gardner in relief of Ruegger takes the loss after yielding four earned runs on five hits and a walk in 1.1 innings pitched.

The Battle of the Boroughs crosses the Verrazano Bridge for game two at the Ballpark at St. George on Saturday.

Opening Day Starting Line-Up

• CF - Adon
• SS - Romero
• RF - Ashford
• 1B - Ganord
• 3B - Gaddis
• DH - Medina
• 2B - Ritter
• LF - Beracierta
• C - Yera

2019 Mets Draft; SNY
Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Baseball Reference


2019 AMATEUR DRAFT SELECTIONS

• Round 5) Nathan Jones; RHP (Northwestern St.)
• Round 6) Zack Ashford; OF (Fresno St.)
• Round 7) Luke Ritter; INF (Wichita St.)
• Round 9) Joseph Genord; INF (South Florida)
• Round 11) Jordan Martinson; LHP (Dallas Baptist)
• Round 15) Mitch Ragan; RHP (Creighton)
• Round 16) Nic Gaddis; C (Jacksonville St.)
• Round 17) Dan Goggin; RHP (James Madison)
• Round 30) Justin Lasko; RHP (UMass Amherst)
• Round 31) Andrew Edwards; LHP (New Mexico St.)

BEHIND the PLATE

• Ariel Yera - the Cyclones opening day catcher, he played two seasons (2015-2016) in the Cuban Serie Nacional.
• Jose Mena - promoted from (R) GCL Mets.
• Phil Capra - local product from Wagner College of Staten Island.  Played 32 games last season for (R) Kingsport Mets.

INFIELD

• Angel Manzanarez - second season with Brooklyn.
• Joseph Genord - round #9 out of South Florida.
• Nic Gaddis - round #16 out of Jacksonville State.
• Gavin Garay - promoted from (R) Kingsport Mets.
• Yoel Romero - already started the season playing in 19 games for (A+) Port St. Lucie and (A) Columbia.
• Wilmer Reyes - spent most of 2018 playing for (R) GCL Mets, played five games for (A+) Port St. Lucie.

OUTFIELD

• Zack Ashford - round #6 out of Fresno State.
• Anthony Dirocie - second season with Brooklyn, also played 23 games last season at (A) Columbia.
• Guillermo Granadillo - touched Brooklyn in 2017, spent last season playing for (R) Kingsport.
• Ranfy Adon - promoted from (R) Kingsport.
• Raul Beracierta - promoted from (R) Kingsport.
• Jose Medina - back for his third season at Brooklyn.
• Zach Rheams - played for (A) Columbia last season, started this season again playing 14 games at Columbia.

PITCHERS

• Nathan Jones (R) - round #5 out of Northwestern State.
• Jordan Martinson (L) - round #11 out of Dallas Baptist.
• Mitch Ragan (R) - round #15 out of Creighton.
• Daniel Goggin (R) - round #17 out of James Madison.
• Justin Lasko (R) - round #30 out of UMass Amherst.
• Andrew Edwards (L) - round #31 out of New Mexico State.
• Matt Mullenbach (R) - out of Lincoln Memorial University.

• Brian Metoyer (R) - promoted from (R) GCL Mets.
• Malky Mena (R) - promoted from (R) GCL Mets.
• Nelson Leon (R) - promoted from (R) Kingsport.
• Daison Acosta (R) - promoted from (R) Kingsport.
• Christian Tripp (R) - promoted from (R) Kingsport.
• Luis Silva (R) - promoted from (R) Kingsport.
• Matt Cleveland (R) - promoted from (R) Kingsport.
• Garrison Bryant (R) - promoted from (R) Kingsport, made one appearance this season for (A) Columbia.
• Yeudy Colon (R) - second season with Brooklyn.

After spending the last three seasons playing in the Venezuelan League, Mexican League, and most recently for the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, Endy Chavez finally retired from playing and begins his first season as a coach with the Brooklyn Cyclones.  Edgardo Alfonzo enters his fourth season with the Cyclones and is third season as field manager.  The Cyclones have failed to make the playoffs in each of the previous six seasons.  After three straight seasons of finishing below the .500 mark, the Cyclones improved to 40-35 last season under Fonzie - a 16 game improvement over the 2017 season.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Wait Till Next Year

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn Cyclones: Despite Last Ditch Victory Over Staten Island, Coney Island Falls Half-Game Short of Wild Card.

Brooklyn entered Monday's action trailing the Wild Card leading Auburn Doubledays by a mere half game.  Auburn and Batavia were scheduled for an early game, with Brooklyn and Staten Island slated for late afternoon.

The Doubledays build an 8-5 lead, but heavy rain at Batavia causes a delay of game in the eighth.  By then the Cyclones trail Staten Island 2-3 in the middle of the seventh at Coney Island.  When the skies over Batavia clear, Auburn completes their post-season clinching victory over the Muckdogs.  With Brooklyn's game against Staten Island now rendered inconsequential, the Yankees tie the game in the eighth, sending their respective season finale into extra innings.  Staten Island pulls ahead in the top of the tenth, but Brooklyn rallies for two in the bottom half of the frame to capture one last regular season victory.

Second year manager Edgardo Alfonzo and the Cyclones break a string a three consecutive losing seasons, posting forty victories for the first time since 2014 and 13th time in their history.  They send six representative this year to the New York Penn League all-star game, with standout outfielder Ross Adolph capturing MVP honors.  The Cyclones lead the regular season in runs scored, total bases, team average, and team OPS.  Meanwhile, starters Jaison Vilera and Christian James lead the league in ERA, finishing one and two respectively.  Collectively, the Cyclones staff finishes second in team ERA, and third in WHiP.  All of which makes the conclusion of 2018 regular season bittersweet, as the Brooklyn Cyclones miss the post-season for a sixth consecutive year.

I will continue singling out getting sacked at Troy as the reason why.  The Cyclones were fresh off taking three of four from the Hudson Valley Renegades, but then got swept at Troy by the Valley Cats.  And therein lies their biggest misstep, because at the same time Hudson Valley was sweeping the Connecticut Tigers.  Between Aug. 20 and Sept. 1, the Cyclones go just 4-9 entering Sunday's penultimate game against Staten Island.  Hudson Valley, meanwhile goes 10-3 over the same stretch, leaving Brooklyn's hopes of a Wild Card berth out of their hands, and securely in Auburn's.

It was a fun season nonetheless.

Unfortunately, it's time to dust off the Borough's old refrain: Wait till next year!

#LetsGoCyclones

Brooklyn Cyclones: Playoff Fate To Be Decided Monday

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

VERRAZ(Z)ANO NARROWS SHOWDOWN

MONDAY

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

Brooklyn Cyclones: Brooks Escape Staten Island With Victory; Playoff Fate To Be Decided on Labor Day at Coney Island.

Labor they must, for on Monday there's much work to be done.

Brooklyn's nerve wracking victory over the Yankees at Richmond County grounds on Sunday affords the Cyclones one last opportunity at qualifying for this season's playoffs.  However, they're still dependent on Monday's outcome between Auburn and the Muckdogs at Batavia scheduled for early afternoon.  Very simply, an Auburn victory means both the Cyclones and Yankees are out.  But should both Brooklyn and Batavia emerge victoriously, the Cyclones move on to their first post-season appearance after a five year absence.  Therefore both Brooklyn and Staten Island should know what exactly is at stake heading into their late afternoon clash at Coney Island.

The Cyclones have relievers Billy Oxford and Tommy Wilson largely to thank for making Monday's game relevant. 

After spotting Cyclones starter Jose Butto to a 5-0 lead after just three and a half innings of play, Staten Island roars back in the bottom half of the fourth.  Butto contributes a base on balls and a hit batsman, but is knocked out of the box upon surrendering three hits, two going for extra bases, and allowing the Yankees to close within one.  Coach Alfonzo calls upon reliever Billy Oxford whom is successful in dousing the fire, then continues on to pitch a scoreless fifth.

Tommy Wilson takes over pitching duties in the sixth, and completely stymies the Yankees.  He faces 14 batters through the game's final four innings, throwing 54 pitches with 41 (76%) going for strikes.  He allows no runs on just two hits and walks none, while striking out six to earn a rather clutch and  lengthy save.  Billy Oxford is credited the victory.

Third baseman Chandler Avant's base hit in the fourth drives in what proves to be the difference in the game.  At the bottom of the order, second baseman Angel Manzanarez is big man on campus going 2 for 4 with a double, RBI, and a run scored.

At the very least, Edgardo Alfonzo will have guided the Cyclones to their first winning season since 2014, after which the team strings three losing seasons - the organizations only losing seasons since 2001.  Last year was easily their worst, having lost fifty game for the first time in their history.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Coney is Where the Wild Things Are

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Next Stop ... Vermont, Where The Lake Monsters Are

Brooklyn Cyclones: Slug Way To Rubber Game Victory over Connecticut Tigers; Take Over Sole Possession of Wild Card.

The Surf Avenue Sluggers in front of a full house Saturday night at MCU Park clinch their rubber game against Connecticut with a second straight drubbing of the Tigers.

Edgardo Alfonzo's crew strike early and often, opening with three runs in the first, and four more runs in the third.  Connecticut scraps together a pair of runs against Cyclones starter Kyle Wilson in the fourth and one more in the fifth.  But the Brooks strike back in the home half of each frame, extending their lead to an eventual 10-3 margin of victory.

Chase Chambers and Jose Miguel Medina for a second consecutive game drive in two runs apiece. Anthony Dirocie and Manny Rodriguez each add two RBI, as well.  Six Cyclones hitters post multiple hit games as part of Brooklyn's fifteen hit attack.  For a second straight game they also post double-digit runs against the Tigers.

Kyle Wilson exits the game after five innings.  He surrenders three earned runs on six hits and a walk, and strikes out five en route to his fifth ever win as a pro.

CURIOUS CALL TO THE BULLPEN

Relievers Billy Oxford and Yeudy Colon each are curiously tasked with two innings of work.  Maintaining routine, for sake of work, or out of pure desperation, only Coach Alfonzo knows why other members of the pen failed to get the ball in that situation.  Now down to their last nine games and final three series of the regular season, the Cyclones need all hands on deck.  That being said, is there no other reliever in need of work, fine tuning, or perhaps even a positive outing aimed at boosting confidence?  With a seven run lead, planning ahead is a worthwhile gamble not just in this instance, but also as it pertains to setting up the bullpen for the upcoming series at Vermont, and the looming Hudson Valley clash to follow.

WHERE THE WILD TEAMS ARE

Up in Dutchess County the Tri City Valley Cats and host Hudson Valley Renegades battled into extra innings.  The Valley Cats two runs in the top of the tenth was negated when the Renegades rallied for three runs in the bottom half of the frame for a 7-6 victory.  Thus the Cyclones end the night 2.5 games behind the McNamara Division leading Renegades, but presently own sole possession of the Wild Card.  Their victory over the Tigers coupled with Staten Island's loss against Aberdeen gives the Cyclones a one game lead over the Pizza Rats, but only a half-game lead over the Auburn Doubledays, whom on Saturday whitewash State College.  The Cyclones next opponent is Vermont, whom on Saturday defeat Lowell to stay just 3.5 games back of Brooklyn.  In turn, the fading Spinners fall yet another notch further down the Wild Card standings.

N.Y. Mets: Last One Out Shut the Lights

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS: The scars of previous postseason failures timestamp my pain.  This season, however, went a long way towards soothing those wounds.

From 1985 through 1988, the Mets won 398 games.  Like the 1986 team, the 1988 Mets reached the century mark in wins, and captured another division flag.  The Mets pummeled the N.L. West clinching Los Angeles Dodgers throughout the regular season, and appeared poised to cement their dynasty - that is, until they ran into Orel Hershiser's record setting arm, Kirk Gibson's swan song, and catcher Mike Scioscia accidentally hitting a Dwight Gooden fastball over Shea Stadium's right field wall during the NLCS.  That one is still very disturbing to revisit.

Let's be honest with ourselves with what transpired a decade later.  Much of the 1999-2000 success was owed to Wayne (Blockbuster) Huizenga, and his Marlins fire sale after winning the 1997 World Series.  Al Leiter and Mike Piazza would not have become available otherwise.

That said, the Mets of Jon Olerud, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Robin Ventura, almost pulled off a remarkable comeback against the Braves in the 1999 NLCS - right up until Kenny freakin' Rogers walked home the winning, and series clinching run in Game Six.  That was an infuriating way to lose (rather than forcing a Game 7).  I still have trouble reconciling that series, particularly Kenny Rogers' existence.

Then, losing the 2000 World Series was distressing for obvious reasons, as it came against the Yankees.

The 2006 team was a veteran squad constructed for immediate gratification.  They were indeed an offensive force that steamrolled the regular season competition.  Their starting pitching, however, fell apart at the worst possible time - the opening of the postseason.  Even then, the Mets had their chances against the Cardinals in the NLCS.  Much transpired that left Mets fans pondering, what if, well before Adam Wainwright delivered his series ending curveball to Carlos Beltran.

Remember Duaner Sanchez?  Yeah, me too.  I'm reminded how he wasn't there to save Mets fans from Aaron Heilman, much in the same way Jenrry Mejia went professionally MIA this season, leaving the Mets depending on the likes of Tyler Clippard, etc.

Just saying...

As a self proclaimed pragmatist, I try living by a saying, that you can not be disappointed with what you do not expect.  That's the best way I can describe the 2015 season.  All I wanted from this team was a .500 record, and improvement from their young crop of players.  Instead, I got a National League pennant, and baseball lasting into November!

Without question, the New York Metropolitans recently concluded 54th season in franchise history rates among their most Amazin' ever.  For the fifth time in their history, the Mets are kings of the Senior Circuit.

I'll take that!

If anything, I'm confident this off-season will prove far more disappointing than the Mets actual loss to Kansas City.

Asphalt road, take me home, under the El where I belong, Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, Queens, Citi Field, take me home...

They say love is blind.

If Fred Wilpon's shameless tribute to the Dodgers didn't quite feel like home to you (like yours truly), then perhaps this changes things?  I guess there's a reason why I spend most of my time spanning the Shea Bridge.  I spent my childhood, teen years, adolescence, and adult years at Shea Stadium.  That's hard to top.  But, they say home is where the heart is.  In the end, Citi Field finally had its day to shine.  Hell, the Home Run Apple even took one for the team off the bat of Travis d'Arnaud.

**Word to the owners: Leave the bandage on the Apple!**

So yeah, now that the place has been decorated with a new National League Champion banner after six long, losing seasons, perhaps a noticeable cold era has indeed thawed.

I'll learn to love her yet.

Game Called:

I'm a man for all seasons.

Good or bad, I love the stories they inspire, but they all take their respective toll.  Don't misunderstand me when saying I look forward to the last day of the season as much as I do Opening Day.  I like the beginning and finality.

The length of any given baseball season, however, never hits me until the very last out.  That's when the long haul ends, the weight of 162-plus games comes to rest, and you realize how much being consumed by teams, players, games, stats, and trends, taxed the brain.