Brooklyn Cyclones Pitchers Twirl Three-Hitter; Take 3-2 Series Lead Over Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

REGULAR-SEASON FINALE

JERSEY SHORE @ BROOKLYN

I - BK 5; JS 2

II - JS 4; BK 3

III - JS 8; BK 6

IV - BK 7; JS 4

VI - BK 9; JS 2

David Griffin Hurls a Coney Island Thriller; Bullpen Joins for a Combined Three-Hitter

Brooklyn's penultimate game of the season is a dandy.  Making his seventh start for the Cyclones, right-hander David Griffin hurls an absolute gem against the Blue Claws, limiting them to just two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over six innings for the win.  

Griffin faces twenty batters, throwing 89 pitches with 53 (59.5%) going for strikes.  He retires his first eight batters before issuing his first base on balls with two outs in the third.  Griffin then sits down the next five batters.  With two outs in the fifth, Jersey Shore finally wields their first base hit.  Griffin issues his second walk in the sixth but induces the next batter into an inning-ending double-play.  The 24-year old improves to 3-1 as a Cyclone with a declining 4.18 ERA.

In relief of Griffin, Evy Ruibal allows no hits over two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.  However, misfortune befalls Colby Morris, who surrenders an inconsequential two-run home run in the ninth.

Meanwhile, the Cyclones plate nine runs on eleven hits in 34 at-bats (.323) and go 3 for 7 with runners in scoring position.  They draw four walks and whiff nine times.  After two scoreless frames, Coney Island scores in every inning to follow.

FIVE HOME RUNS

The Cyclone's home run barrage begins with Jaylen Palmer's solo shot in the third.  In his eighth game with Brooklyn, Oscar Campos connects for a fourth-inning three-run home run.  In the fifth, second baseman Luke Ritter launches his 14th home run with two runners on.  

Far from done, Francisco Alvarez, in the seventh inning, swats his team-leading 22nd home run this season for Brooklyn and his 24th overall.

Lastly, Mr. Excitment himself, Wilmer Reyes, hits a solo shot in the eighth en route to a 9-2 victory over the Jersey Shore Blue Claws.  Reyes, through eight games, is batting .406 (13/32) with a 1.039 OPS.

Brooklyn takes a 3-2 series lead.  The final game of a very intriguing 2021 regular season draws to a close Sunday at Coney Island.

Brooklyn Cyclones Shut Out at Dutchess Stadium; Hudson Valley Renegades Even Series at Three

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN @ HUDSON VALLEY

I - HV 7; BK 6

II - BK 4; HV 0

III - BK 10; HV 8

IV - BK 6; HV 4

V - HV 4; BK 1

VI - HV 7; BK 0

It's Groundhog Day at Wappingers Falls

The Brooklyn Cyclones have now lost 66 games this season.  I've covered every single one.  So, I know, and dread going back and checking to see just how many times this season the Cyclones have been limited to four hits or less.  I've made it a point of contention throughout.

On Saturday, they escaped my rage by wielding their fifth hit in the ninth inning.

Thank you, Cody Bohanek.

Hudson Valley's Josh Maciejewski hurls a gem, allowing four hits and no walks with eleven strikeouts over seven innings pitched for the win.  Right-hander Freicer Perez yields one hit over two scoreless innings to complete the shutout.

Brooklyn manages to put only one runner into scoring position.  They draw no walks and strike out 13 times.  Catcher Francisco Alvarez, Wilmer Reyes, Luis Gonzalez, and Zack Ashford account for Brooklyn's four other hits, none for extra bases.

After two impressive starts, right-hander Jose Chacin suffers his first loss as a Cyclone.  He allows five runs on three hits, including two home runs in the third and three walks with eight strikeouts through five innings.  In relief of Chacin, Luis Montas yields a run over two innings pitched, and Evy Ruibal 

surrenders a home run in the eighth.

Jose Chacin Shines in Brooklyn Cyclones Debut; Coney Island Takes 4-2 Series Lead Over Aberdeen

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

VI - BRK 4; ABD 1

Cyclone Bullpen and the Surf Ave Sluggers Provide Jose Chacin All The Support Needed For His First Victory at Coney Island 

Making his first start for the Brooklyn Cyclones, Port St. Lucie Mets graduate Jose Chacin makes a fine first impression before the Coney Island crowd.  After hurling five scoreless innings, he yields a run in the sixth.  All told, Chacin allowed an earned run on just two hits and one walk with five strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  

Enter Josh Hejka who closes out the sixth and throws a scoreless seventh.  Afterwhich, the bullpen hits a bump in the road when Evy Ruibal faces four batters, allows a hit, and walks two before smartly being removed in favor of big Bryce Montes de Oca who closes out the eighth, then hurls a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the victory and earn his sixth save.  Jose Chacin earns the win.

The Cyclones score four runs on seven hits and seven walks with only five strikeouts.  Aberdeen right-hander Connor Loeprich takes the loss.  Second baseman Luis Gonzalez is the big man on campus going 4 for 4 with a home run, his fifth.  Third baseman Jose Peroza and Ronny Mauricio also drive in runs for Brooklyn, and back in the second Luis Gonzalez doubled and scored on a wild pitch.

The Surf Avenue Sluggers now own a 4-2 advantage in the series with the finale slated for Sunday.

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

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 1-2

I - HVR 3; BRK 2

II - BRK 11; HVR 7

III - HVR 6; BRK 5

Cyclone Skipper Draws a "Blank"

Trailing 5-4 Entering the Home Ninth, 

Hudson Valley Hits Two-Run Walkoff Home Run

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Comeback Falls Short; Jersey Shore Takes Game Five

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

 JERSEY SHORE leads CONEY ISLAND; 3-2

I - BK 14; JS 5

II - JS 3; BK 1

III - BK 4; JS 0

IV - JS 3; BK 0

V - JS 4; BK 3

Game five between the Cyclones and Blue Claws features the beleaguered Alec Kisena toeing the slab for Brooklyn opposed by Victor Vargas for Jersey Shore.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Blue Claw catcher Logan O'Hoppe homers off Kisena for a prompt 1-0 lead.  The score remains unchanged through the fourth.  Jersey Shore then strikes for three runs in the fifth, knocking Kisena out of the box.  Enter Evy Ruibal, who secures two outs to end the threat.

Victor Vargas keeps Brooklyn off the scoreboard through the first six innings.  But the 'Clones finally breakthrough in the seventh on Francisco Alvarez's leadoff home run, his tenth this season.  The Cyclones score twice more in the eighth on Francisco Alvarez's second home run of the game, this time with a runner on base bringing Brooklyn within a run of the Blue Claws.

But Coney Island would score no more.  Jersey Shore's Manuel Silva retires the first two batters faced in the ninth.  First baseman Joe Genord follows with a double to put himself in scoring position, but pinch-hitter Joe Suozzi leaves the tying run stranded.

Alec Kisena allows four runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 4.1 innings pitched in a losing effort.  Making his 13th start for Brooklyn, he entered Saturday's contest with a 5.15 ERA and exits with a 5.40 mark.  His mound counterpart Victor Vargas surrenders just three hits and four walks with six strikeouts through six scoreless innings pitched for the win.

• Francisco Alvarez now has eleven home runs and 32 RBI through 49 games, and 163 at-bats since joining Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Season-High Fourth Straight Over Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN leads WILMINGTON; 4-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

II - BRK 5; WIL 3

III - BRK 10; WIL 2

IV - BRK 5; WIL 4

Evy Ruibal Puts Out The Fire; Cyclones Win Streak Hits Four

The Boardwalk Bums build an early four-run lead through five.  

First baseman Jeremy Vasquez doubles leading off the second and scored on a two-out double by Luis Gonzalez, who then crosses the plate on Jose Mena's grounder to third (and subsequent botched throw to first base).  In the third, Jeremy Vasquez drives home his second run, and in the fourth, Joe Suozzi 

doubles home Brooklyn's fourth run.

Wilmington gets on the board with a pair of doubles in the sixth, which knock starter J.T. Ginn from the game.  Facing Connor O'Neil in the seventh, Wilmington's first baseman Omar Meregildo connects on a two-run home run, making it a 4-3 game.

Brooklyn plates the game's decisive run in the eighth.  Luis Gonzalez drives home his second of the game, and it's a good thing too.  

Because in the ninth inning, Cyclone reliever Michel Otanez walks the first three batters to load the bases inspiring Manager Blankmeyer into making a pitching change summoning Evy Ruibal to extinguish the fire.  A flyball to center field scores the runner from third, pulling the Blue Rocks within one.  However, Evy Ruibal strikes out the next batter and gets the game's last out on a pop-foul to third base, thus preserving the victory and earning his first save this season.

J.T. Ginn wins his first game as a member of the Cyclones.  He allows just one run on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts through 5.2 innings in his Brooklyn debut.

The Cyclones win their fourth straight against Wilmington, their longest winning streak this season to date.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Salvage Series Finale at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley defeats Brooklyn; 5-1

I - HVR 9; BRK 7

II - HVR 3; BRK 2

III - HVR 6; BRK 4

IV - HVR 7; BRK 1

V - HVR 5; BRK 0*

VI - BRK 10; HVR 3

*7 inning no-hitter

Four Home Runs Power Brooklyn Over Hudson Valley; Antoine Duplantis Hits Two

My sarcasm aside, Brooklyn eliminates any chance of a no-hitter and shutout when, with one out in the top of the first, Antoine Duplantis homers to right field against Renegade starter Shawn Semple.  Hudson Valley likewise ruins Alec Kisena's bid for a no-hitter with a base hit in the bottom half of the frame.

Playing in place of injured Luke Ritter, second baseman Luis Gonzalez homers in the second.  Hudson Valley gets one back in the bottom half of the frame.  But then, with two outs in the third, Antoine Duplantis hits his second home run of the game giving the Cyclones a 3-1 lead.

Manager Blankmeyer, perhaps making a proactive change, brings in Josh Hejka in the fifth.  Alec Kisena allows just one run on one hit and five walks, and five strikeouts through four innings pitched.

In the seventh, Adrian Hernandez drives home, Luis Gonzalez, for a 4-1 Brooklyn lead.

Hejka completes his third scoreless inning with a ten-pitch at-bat against second baseman Oliver Dunn. 

Leading off the eighth, first baseman Jeremy Vasquez gives Brooklyn a 5-1 lead with his third home run this season.  Afterwhich, Brooklyn erupts for five more runs.  Catcher Juan Uriarte singles home a run, Antoine Duplantis walks with the bases loaded, Ronny Mauricio is hit by a pitch forcing home another, and Jeremy Vasquez drives home two giving Brooklyn a 10-1 lead.  That is until the Renegades post two runs in the bottom of the eighth against right-hander Evy Ruibal.

Mitch Ragan closes out the game with a scoreless ninth.  Brooklyn pitchers limit the Renegades to four hits, while Josh Hejka earns a well-deserved win.

• BOXSCORE

Coney Island salvages the series finale and avoids a sweep at Hudson Valley.

Faulty Bullpen Short Circuits Brooklyn Cyclones Power Surge at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

GAME ONE

CYCLONES     7

RENEGADES    9

FINAL/BOXSCORE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Open Road Trip With Loss at Aberdeen

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

GAME ONE

Brooklyn Cyclones      3

Aberdeen Ironbirds    7

FINAL/BOXSCORE

Alec Kisena Knocked Out of the Box After Three; Bats Go Silent After Luke Ritter Blast In Fourth

Aberdeen rolls out the welcome mat for Brooklyn starter Alec Kisena, who in turn surrenders five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks in just three innings of work.

Facing Aberdeen starter Garrett Stallings, second baseman Luke Ritter gets Brooklyn on the board with a three-run home run in the fourth.  Unbeknownst to them, it would be the last time a Cyclone would cross home plate.

Pitching in relief of Kisena, right-hander Josh Hejka keeps the Ironbirds in place through the sixth.  Afterwhich, Evy Ruibal enters the game and promptly surrenders two earned runs in the seventh, increasing the Cyclones deficit to five.  Brooklyn bats have now been held quiet since the fourth inning.  Andrew Edwards, called upon to twirl the eighth in relief of Ruibal, gets through without a hitch.

Facing Ironbird Garrett Farmer in the top of the ninth, the Cyclones muster one lone hit by Brett Baty en route to a series-opening 7-3 defeat at Aberdeen. 

All told, Brooklyn hurlers surrender seven runs (six earned) on ten hits and six walks.  Kisena takes the loss and sees his record fall to 1-4 with a 4.86 ERA.  Three fielding errors didn't help either.

Brett Baty accounts for half of Brooklyn's hits, finishing 3 for 4, all singles, and lifting his average to a .318 mark.  Seven team strikeouts are completely reasonable, but Coney Island only draws one walk.  

For Luke Ritter, his ninth home run this season.