Brooklyn Cyclones Shut Out the Greensboro Grasshoppers

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Greensboro vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 6; GRB 5

II - BKN 9; GRB 0

Cyclone Pitchers Join Together on Four-Hit Shutout

The hits were plentiful, and the pitching was superb as the Brooklyn Cyclones won their second straight game in their first-ever series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Right fielder Stanley Consuegra doubled home Brooklyn's first run in the third inning, and the pitching made it stand.  Making his ninth start and fifteenth appearance, right-hander Garrison Bryant allowed no runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings for the win.  He faced twenty batters, throwing 83 pitches with 52 (62.6%) going for strikes.  Garrison improved to 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA.  Right-hander Daison Acosta closed out the game allowing one hit and one walk in three scoreless innings for his second save.

Left fielder Matt Rudick knocked home a run in the fifth, Nic Gaddis scored on a wild pitch in the sixth, and Consuegra doubled home his second run of the game in the seventh.  The Cyclones then erupted for five runs in the eighth, highlighted by Stanley Consuegra's three-run home run.  Stanley finished the afternoon 4 for 5 with three doubles, a home run, and five runs batted in; Matt Rudick went 2 for 4 with two runs batted in; Shervyen Newton was 3 for 4 with one RBI and three runs scored.

• Boxscore

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Second Straight at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY

I - HVR 5; BKN 2

II - HVR 8; BKN 5

III - BKN 6; HVR 1

IV - BKN 6; HVR 2

Cyclones Even Series With Hudson Valley

Second-half pitching continues propelling the Cyclones forward.

With two out in the top of the second, catcher Jose Mena singled, delivering home two runs, and in the fourth, Nic Gaddis scored on a fielder's choice giving the Cyclones a 3-0 lead.

Afterwhich, it was a matter of Brooklyn holding on.

Brooklyn right-hander Garrison Bryant held the Renegades scoreless through the fifth.  But in the sixth, Hudson Valley tallied twice to pull within one.

The score remained unchanged through the eighth inning.  Brooklyn then added a trio of insurance runs in the ninth.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton doubled home a run, and JT Schwartz connected on a two-run home run to right/center field.

JT Schartz and Jose Mena accounted for four hits and four runs batted in, and Nic Gaddis finished with two hits and two runs scored.

Making his seventh start and thirteenth appearance, Garrison Bryant allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings.  He improved to 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 53.1 innings pitched, all with Brooklyn.

In only his third appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Nate Jones negotiated a three-inning save.  He faced ten batters, yielded no hits and one walk, and fanned three.

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Continue Handcuffing Jersey Shore Blue Claws

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE OF THE BEACHES

Jersey Shore vs. Coney Island

I - BK 4; JS 3

II - JS 5; BK 3

III - BK 3; JS 1

IV - BK 2; JS 1

V - BK 6; JS 2

Cyclones Take Third Straight From Blue Claws

Brooklyn pitching continued dominating the Blue Claws on Saturday at Coney Island. 

Making his sixth start and his twelfth appearance, right-hander Garrison Bryant allowed two runs on five hits (solo home runs in the first and sixth innings) and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings for his third win of the season.  

Afterwhich, the Cyclone bullpen continued its excellence during this series.  Right-hander Nolan Clenney yielded just one hit, and one walk with a strikeout over two innings pitched, and Grant Hartwig 

closed out the ninth with two strikeouts in a non-save situation.

With two outs and two runners in scoring position in the home first, right fielder Tanner Murphy singled to left field, delivering home two runs.  Then with no outs and the bases loaded in the fourth, shortstop 

Shervyen Newton singled home one run, and with two outs, Matt Rudick singled, driving home two.  Third baseman Jose Peroza doubled home Newton in the eighth to close the scoring.

• Boxscore

Brooklyn Cyclones: Pitching Wins the Day at Wilmington

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Wilmington

I - WIL 6; BKN 5

II - BKN 4; WIL 2

III - WIL 9; BKN 5

IV - BKN 3; WIL 2

V - WIL 4; BKN 3

VI - BKN 1; WIL 0

VII - BKN 4; WIL 1

Brooklyn Sweeps Saturday Twin Bill

Game one featured a fine pitching duel at Frawley Stadium between Brooklyn starter Nick Zwack and left-hander Mitchell Parker for Wilmington.  Zwack yielded no runs on four scattered hits, and no walks with three strikeouts through six innings.  He faced 21 batters and threw 82 pitches, with 53 (64.6%) going for strikes.  Parker completed seven innings, allowing three hits and three walks with five strikeouts.  Both pitchers exited the game to no decisions.  Cyclone right-hander Justin Courtney threw a scoreless bottom half of the seventh inning, and into extra innings, the teams went.  Facing Blue Rock right-hander Amos Willingham in the top of the eighth, phantom runner Shervyen Newton advanced to third base on Matt Rudick's leadoff base hit.  Left fielder Rowdey Jordan followed with a single to center knocking home the go-ahead run.  Justin Courtney then retired the Blue Rocks to earn the win.  

• Boxscore

In a make-up game from May 12, the Cyclones utilized the long ball in completing a Saturday twin bill sweep over the Blue Rocks.  Wilmington grabbed an early lead with a first-inning home run.  First baseman JT Schwartz knocked home the tying run in the third, and designated hitter Nic Gaddis 

followed with a two-run home run giving the Cyclones a 3-1 lead.  Right fielder Tanner Murphy 

homered in the fourth, giving Brooklyn a 4-1 margin of victory.  Brooklyn right-hander Garrison Bryant allowed one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts through six innings for the win.  Grant Hartwig pitched a scoreless seventh out of the pen with two strikeouts for his fifth save.

• Boxscore

Frawley Stadium, Wilmington

Hudson Valley Renegades Out-Duel Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

II - BKN 5; HVR 4

III - HVR 3; BKN 1

Matt Sauer Pitches a Dandy; Renegades Claim First Win of Series

The Cyclones dropped a tightly contested pitcher's duel Thursday evening, and the Renegades claimed their first victory of the series.

Hudson Valley starter Matt Sauer was stellar, allowing just one run on three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over 7.1 innings pitched for the win.  Right-hander Alex Mauricio yielded one hit and struck out three batters over the final 1.2 innings for his second save.

Brooklyn was limited to just four hits, a single by Wilmer Reyes, Rowdey Jordan, and Matt O'Neill each doubled, and right fielder Joe Suozzi homered in the sixth for Brooklyn's lone run of the game.  The Cyclones drew just one walk and struck out a dozen times as a team.

Starter Garrison Bryant surrendered two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts through five innings pitched for the loss.

BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Slam the Brakes on Hot Rods

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Bowling Green; 3-2

I - BK 5; BG 4

II - BG 4; BK 1

III - BG 7; BK 6

IV - BK 3; BG 1

V - BK 5; BG 2

Cyclones Seize Series Lead Over Hot Rods

The Cyclones for a second straight game defeated visiting Bowling Green on Saturday to take a 3-2 series lead against the Hot Rods.

Starting pitchers Nathan Wiles for Bowling Green and Brooklyn's Garrison Bryant each walked off to a no-decision.  The Cyclones promptly opened the scoring on runs batted in by Wilmer Flores and Jose Mena in the first inning.  Wiles exited the game after allowing five total hits with two strikeouts in three innings.  Bowling Green tied the game in the fourth at two.  Garrison Bryant was relieved after yielding five total hits and no walks with three strikeouts through five innings pitched.

In the sixth, catcher Nic Gaddis' sac-fly to left scored Reyes from third.  Two innings later, Wilmer Reyes connected on his first home run this season, deep over the center field wall.  Getting the start at second base, Warren Saunders singled home Brooklyn's sixth and final run of the game.

Right-hander Justin Courtney picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief of Bryant, and Josh Hejka pitched the final two innings to earn his first save.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Historic Home Opener at Coney Island

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

HISTORY AT CONEY ISLAND

Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at Coney Island, marked the first professional baseball game played by a team representing Brooklyn since April 30, 1957, when the Dodgers defeated the visiting Chicago Cubs sixty-five years ago by a final score of 10-9 in ten innings at Ebbets Field.  In the ninth inning, Sandy Amaros hit a game-tying home run, and Don Zimmer hit a game-winning home run in the tenth.  Gil Hodges also homered in the game, and Roy Campanella hit two home runs.

Bedford & Sullivan Pre-Game: 

Sam and I Speak Live from Coney Island

thirteen minutes

OPENING DAY

Jersey Shore    2

Coney Island    5

FINAL

Cyclones Take Opening Battle of the Beaches

The Brooklyn Cyclones took an early 1-0 lead in the second.  With one out, the offensive star of the game JT Schwartz tripled to right, and with two outs, scored on right fielder Brandon McIlwain's double into the left/center field gap.

Starter Garrison Bryant yielded single runs in the third and fourth innings and exited on the losing side of a 2-1 game after surrendering five hits and one walk with six strikeouts through 3.2 innings pitched.

But Bryant's mates got him off the hook.  The Cyclones loaded the bases in the fifth inning, and with no outs, second baseman Wyatt Young singled home the tying run.  Afterwhich, the go-ahead run scored when third baseman Jose Peroza grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.  With two outs and Wilmer Reyes, the base runner at third, first baseman JT Schwartz lined a home run to right, giving the Cyclones a 5-2 lead and the final margin of victory.  Schwartz ended the night 3 for 4 with a pair of extra-base hits, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. 

Four Brooklyn relievers joined together for 5.1 scoreless innings pitched.  In relief of Bryant, right-hander Hunter Parsons allowed just one hit and one walk with five strikeouts over 2.1 innings to earn the victory.  Righty Sammy Tavarez struck out two batters during a scoreless ninth for the save.  

• Boxscore
• Brooklyn Cyclones
• Jersey Shore Blue Claws

Brooklyn Cyclones Litter Back of Left Field Wall With Baseballs in Thrilling Twin Bill Sweep Over Hudson Valley Renegades

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

CONEY ISLAND BRINGS THRILLS TO WAPPINGERS FALLS

The Brooklyn Cyclones win both ends of a doubleheader at Dutchess Stadium.  Game one features a join-effort four-hitter pitched against Hudson Valley highlighted by Francisco Alvarez's team-leading 19th home run (tied with Ronny Mauricio).  During game two, while the bullpen was putting out fires, the Cyclones hit three more home runs, two by battery mate Nic Gaddis.

⚾

Francisco Alvarez Hits Number 19; Cyclone Pitchers Join Together on Four-Hit Shutout

GAME ONE - Making his eighth start for Brooklyn, J.T. Ginn is opposed by right-hander Mitch Spence for Hudson Valley.  

Leading off the top of the second, Coney Island's phenom catcher Francisco Alvarez smashes a hanging breaking ball over the left-field fence at Wappingers Falls grounds.  

The score remains unchanged through the sixth inning.  

Renegade starter Mitch Spence exits on the losing side of a one-run game, allowing four hits and no walks with nine strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Facing Feicer Perez in the top of the seventh, Brooklyn strikes for three runs on three hits highlighted by back-to-back doubles from Cody Bohanek and Antoine Duplantis en route to a 4-0 final score.

J.G. Ginn allows just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts through five scoreless innings pitched for the win.  He faces twenty batters and throws 87 pitches, with 49 (56.3%) going for strikes.  Right-hander Colby Morris yields four hits over the final two innings to complete the shutout.  

Francisco Alvarez hit his 19th home run with the Brooklyn Cyclones and his 22nd this season.  He and Ronny Mauricio are again tied for the team lead in home runs; Mauricio has 19 in 98 games while Alvarez has 19 home runs in 76 games.

⚾

Early Slugfest Turns Into Battle of the Bullpens; Cyclones Complete Twin Bill Sweep

GAME TWO - Making his first start this season for Brooklyn and alumni of the 2019 champion team, Garrison Bryant toes the rubber in opposition of southpaw Edgar Barclay for the Renegades.

Designated hitter Anthony Volpe right away gets Hudson Valley on the scoreboard with a first-inning leadoff home run.  

In the top of the second, third baseman Jose Peroza reaches base on an E-5, and Luke Ritter singles to left field.  Then with one out, Nic Gaddis homers to left field, giving Brooklyn a 3-1 lead.

Cody Bohanek draws a walk leading off the visitor's third, and with one out, Ronny Mauricio singles.  Jose Peroza then follows with a three-run home run to left.  With two outs, second baseman Luis Gonzalez singles, sending Renegade starter Edgar Barclays to the showers.  Next up, Nic Gaddis greets incoming reliever Nelvin Correa with another home run - his second - giving the Cyclones a commanding 8-1 advantage. 

But the Renegades say not so fast, answering back in the home half of the third with a three-run home run by right fielder Jake Sanford, a follow-up home run in the very next at-bat from Pat DeMarco.  Then with two outs, Garrison Bryant surrenders his third home run of the inning, a two-run shot off the bat of left fielder Frederick Cuevas making this an 8-6 affair in favor of Brooklyn.

Garrison Bryant exits after three innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and two walks through three innings pitched.  Cyclone right-hander Reyson Santos enters the game in the fourth and promptly surrenders a run on a leadoff double and base hit, pulling the Renegades within one.

Nelvin Correa tosses a scoreless top half of the fifth, and Reyson Santos likewise retires the Renegades in the bottom half.  Hudson Valley right-hander Nelson L Alvarez then enters the game and pitches a scoreless sixth.  Brooklyn's Michel Otanez reciprocates in the bottom of the frame.

Nelson Alvarez climbs the bump again in the ninth and immediately issued a leadoff walk to Jose Peroza, and we all know that's never a good thing.  Luke Ritter strikes out.  But, uh oh, a wild pitch advances Peroza to second base.  Luis Gonzalez then singles, putting runners on the corners.  With Nic Gaddis at the plate, Gonzalez steals second, but a wild pitch to the plate allows Peroza to score from third and Gonzalez to scoot over to third.  Gaddis then walks.  With two outs, left fielder Joe Suozzi draws another four-pitch walk loading the bases.  With two outs, another wild pitch by Nelson Alvarez allows Nic Gaddis to score for a 10-7 Brooklyn lead.

Michel Otanez surrenders a run in the home ninth but otherwise closes out the game for the save.  Reyson Santos earns the win in relief.  Hudson Valley's Edgar Barclay takes the loss.

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

Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Hudson Valley Renegades First Round Preview

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

SEMI-FINAL SERIES

GAME ONE

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Hudson Valley Renegades

FROM

Dutchess Stadium

The Cyclones and Hudson Valley Renegades played eight games this season but six are at Dutchess County where Brooklyn posts a 4-2 record.  The remaining two games are played at Coney Island where the Cyclones sweep both for a 6-2 overall record this season against the Renegades.

Hudson Valley fanned on their opportunity to clinch the league's best record due to their end of season loss against Aberdeen.  They go 5-5 down the homestretch and fall into a first place tie with Brooklyn whom finish the season with six victories over their last ten games, and win their final three in a row against Staten Island to gain the McNamara Division flag.

The Renegades are 22-16 at home; the Cyclones are 19-18 on the road.

Brooklyn Cyclones

43-32 (.573)*

McNamara Division Champions

TEAM HITTING

• #6) Runs; 304
• #8) Home Runs; 36
• #9) Total Bases; 787
• #3) Team Avg; .241
• #8) OBP; 38
• #8) SLG; .342
• #5) SB; 80

TEAM PITCHING

• #5) ERA; 3.31
• #3) WHiP; 1.15
• #4t) Home Runs; 33
• #4) Saves; 22
• #8) Strikeouts; 628

* 2B/Wilmer Reyes; slashing .323/.350/.441/.791; 15 extra-base hits; 33 rbi; 12 stolen bases.
* 1B/Joe Genord; tied for sixth with nine home runs; third with 44 rbi.
* 2B/Luke Ritter; ninth with 36 rbi.

* rhp/Garrison Bryant; leads Cyclones with five wins; 2.39 ERA; 0.84 WHiP; 75 strikeouts.
* rhp/Matt Mullenbach; 2.84 ERA; 1.07 WHiP; 14 hits/26 strikeouts in 25.1 innings; five saves.
* rhp/Frank Valentino; 3.41 ERA; 1.12 WHiP; 52 hits; 63 strikeouts; 58 innings pitched.

Right-hander Michel Otanez is penciled in for game one at Hudson Valley.  He owns a 2.97 ERA and 1.42 WHiP, yielding 26 hits and 17 walks with 26 strikeouts through seven starts and 30.1 innings pitched.

Hudson Valley Renegades

43-32 (.573)*

2019 Wild Card

TEAM HITTING

• #3) Runs; 335
• #13) Home Runs; 20
• #11) Total Bases; 755
• #6) Team Avg; .239
• #2) OBP; 330
• #12) SLG; .325
• #1) SB; 116

TEAM PITCHING

• #2) ERA; 3.00
• #4) WHiP; 1.17
• #4t) Home Runs; 33
• #4) Saves; 23
• #5) Strikeouts; 645

* SS/Greg Jones; slashing .335/.413/.461/.874; 18 extra-base hits; 24 rbi; 19 stolen bases.

* 1B/Jacson McGowan; tied for third with 17 doubles; fourth with 43 rbi.
* OF/Hill Alexander; fifth with 41 rbi.

* rhp/Edisson Gonzalez; 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHiP; 55 hits and 77 strikeouts in 62.1 innings
* lhp/John Doxakis; 1.93 ERA and 0.95 WHiP through 32.2 innings with 31 strikeouts.
* rhp/Evan McKendry; 1.60 ERA and 1.07 WHiP; 43 strikeouts and four walks in 39.1 innings.

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

GAME ONE

Lowell Spinners @ Batavia Muckdogs

FROM

HISTORIC DWYER GROUNDS

Brooklyn Cyclones: One More Win and They're In

From the desk of: 

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  &  THE RICHMOND COUNTY RATS

BATTLE of the BOROUGHS

Brooklyn leads series 2-0

I - BRK 11; SIY 2

II - BRK 5; SIY 4

LABOR DAY

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Coney Island

Brooklyn Rallies For Ninth Inning Victory at Staten Island; Hudson Valley Clinches Playoff Berth With Win Over Aberdeen.

Brooklyn scores in their first at-bat, but trail the Yankees 4-1 after four.  The Cyclones make it a 4-2 game in the fifth.  Starter Garrison Bryant exits on the losing side after yielding four runs, three earned, on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts.  After which the bullpen pitches brilliantly whilst the Cyclones mount their comeback.

With two outs in the sixth Joe Genord, Jose Peroza, and Jake Ortega all single consecutively; Genord scores making it a 4-3 game in Staten Island's favor.  In the top of the ninth Yankees reliever Barrett Loseke commits a cardinal sin of baseball when he walks Brooklyn lead-off batter Kenedy Corona, who then advances to second on a wild pitch.  Antoine Duplantis singles putting runners on the corners.  Jake Mangum likewise singles to left scoring Corona.  With Wilmer Reyes at the plate, Barrett Loseke unleashes another wild pitch advancing Duplantis to third, whom then scores on a subsequent throwing error by catcher Carlos Narvaez giving Brooklyn a 5-4 lead and ultimate margin of victory.

Jared Biddy allows just one hit through two innings in relief of Bryant.  Josh Hejika pitches a scoreless eighth for the victory, and Nelson Leon tosses a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts for his fourth save.  The three relievers combine on four scoreless innings of one-hit ball with no walks and four strikeouts.

• New York Penn League

Hudson Valley breaks a scoreless tie with two runs in the fifth.  Aberdeen rallies for two runs in the top of the eighth, and into extra innings they go at Dutchess County.  The Renegades ultimately walk off with a 3-2 win in the tenth.  Hudson Valley clinches at least a wild card.  Heading into the last game of the regular season, the Renegades lead the McNamara Division by one full game over the Cyclones.  The Ironbirds are eliminated from the division race.  With another victory over Aberdeen on Monday the Renegades would clinch the division title.  In turn Brooklyn now leads the wild card race by one full game over the Ironbirds.  One more victory over Staten Island on Monday would stamp Brooklyn's ticket to the playoffs.  As a result of Sunday's loss the Yankees are eliminated from wild card contention.

Dare I contemplate a McNamara Division tie?

Brooklyn Cyclones: Tied in Knots With Seven Games Left

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Cyclones lead series 2-0

I - BRK 12; VMT 3

II - BRK 2; VMT 0

Vermont Lake Monsters

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Coney Island

Make that two straight against the Lake Monsters.  However, Hudson Valley, Aberdeen, and Staten Island, also win on Monday.  Therefore everything remains as it was as of close of business Sunday.  The Cyclones, Renegades, and Ironbirds, will spend another day locked in a three way tie for both first place of the division and the wild card standings, and for the league's best record as well.  That said, the Staten Island Yankees sit a mere 1.5 games back of both the division lead and wild card race.  In fact the league's four best clubs (four top records) all reside in the ultra competitive McNamara Division.  But time is running short as only seven more games remain in the regular season.  It seems apropos the Cyclones and Yankees should play a home and home series to close out the regular season.

• New York Penn League

Game two starter Garrison Bryant, Jared Biddy, and Josh Hejka, join together in limiting Vermont to just five hits and no walks with a combined 14 strikeouts en route to a 2-0 whitewashing of the Lake Monsters Monday night at Coney Island.  Bryant yields just two hits and no walks with nine strikeouts through 6.1 innings.  He throws 73 pitches with 53 (73%) going for strikes en route to his fifth victory against one loss with a declining 2.18 ERA.

Meanwhile Brooklyn batters outlast Lake Monsters starter Michael Murray whom tosses a gem of his own, yielding no runs on just one hit and no walks with five strikeouts.  But once out of the game, Antoine Duplantis and Wilmer Reyes each drive in a run apiece against reliever Jack Cushing.  After which Cyclones relievers Jared Biddy and Josh Hejka take care of the rest.

Brooklyn hosts one more against Vermont before traveling down to Maryland for a three game showdown versus the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  And keep a close eye on Staten Island versus Hudson Valley, as the Yankees can leapfrog em all.

Five Cyclones Representing Brooklyn at New York-Penn League All-Star Game

From the desk of: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

New York-Penn League

2 0 1 9

ALL STAR GAME

Five members of the Brooklyn Cyclones have been selected to participate in this season's New York-Penn League All-Star Game this coming Tuesday at Staten Island's Ballpark at St. George.

• New York-Penn League (stats as of Saturday, 8/18/2019)

As of close of business Saturday 21-year old Wilmer Reyes was fifth in the New York-Penn League in batting with a .328 average, seventh with 57 hits, and tenth with .792 OPS.  The Cyclones infielder has eleven extra-base hits, 23 RBI, and ten stolen bases, through 46 games and 174 at-bats.

First baseman Joe Genord may presently be slashing .203/.277/.401, but he is fourth in the league with eight home runs and sixth in runs batted in.

Twenty-year old Garrison Bryant sports a 4-1 record with a league best 0.86 WHiP, and a league second best 2.59 ERA.  He's allowed just 38 hits and 13 walks with 55 strikeouts through nine starts (eleven appearances) and 59.0 innings pitched.

Starter Matt Cleveland is 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA and 1.20 WHiP through twelve starts and 58.1 innings pitched.  He's allowed just 45 hits but has yielded 25 base on balls.  Opposing hitters are batting just .211 against him.

Reliever Mitch Ragan is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA and stellar 0.79 WHiP through eleven appearances, with just 19 hits allowed and two walks with 22 strikeouts through 26.2 innings pitched.

Home of the Staten Island Yankees

Site of the 2019 NYPL All-Star Game

Brooklyn Cyclones: Saturday Night Fog Out at Coney Island

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

MOTHER NATURE SAYS FOG YOU 

AND THE BEACH YOU CAME FROM

Tri-City Valley Cats

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

SUSPENDED GAME

Fog me?  Fog you ... 

The Cyclones and Valley Cats duel through five scoreless innings before Mother Nature chases home everyone attending Saturday's game at MCU Park.  Brooklyn's all-star game bound Garrison Bryant yields just two hits and no walks with six strikeouts.  He faces 17 batters, throwing 68 pitches with 49 (72%) going for strikes.  Troy starter Juan Pablo Lopez surrenders three hits and one walk with five strikeouts.  Second baseman Luke Ritter accounts for two of Brooklyn's three hits.

Mother Nature shortly thereafter makes her appearance at Dutchess County, where the Staten Island Yankees were within three outs of defeating the Renegades before being delayed.  However by 11:30pm the game had been declared official.  And so for a change the Cyclones actually get a helping hand from their Richmond County neighbors.  Bout damn time, too.

Thus the Cyclones enter Sunday's action 3.5 games back of the Renegades with an opportunity for affecting two positive outcomes.  A little more help from Staten Island wouldn't hurt either.

• ICYMI: Brooklyn Cyclones Fading With Fifteen To Go

Aberdeen proves the biggest beneficiary of Saturday's weather.  In defeating the Vermont Lake Monsters - something Brooklyn could not do - the Ironbirds close to within 2.5 games of first, and now lead the wild card race by a half-game over West Virginia.  The Cyclones trail by one full game.

Cyclones Take Second Straight From Yankees

From the desks of:  

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  &  THE RICHMOND COUNTY RATS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

Brooklyn Leads Series 2-0

I - BRK 11; SIY 4

II - BRK 4; SIY 1

TUESDAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Staten Island Yankees

Michael Gibbons - no stranger to Brooklyn - returns to Coney Island and no-hits the Staten Island  Yankees ... for the first few innings, that is.  He faces eleven batters, throwing 43 pitches with 26 (60%) going for strikes.  Gibbons yields no hits, no runs, and two walks with two strikeouts in three innings pitched but does not factor in the decision.  Usual starter Garrison Bryant enters this game in the fourth.  He surrenders Staten Island's lone run of the game on three hits and no walks with five 

strikeouts in earning his fourth victory of the season against just one loss with a 2.59 ERA.  Nelson Leon closes out the ninth to earn his fourth save of the season.  

Antoine Duplantis is 2 for 4 with a triple, a run scored, and an RBI.  Jose Peroza is 1 for 4 with a two run home run in the eighth, and Wilmer Reyes is 3 for 4 with a run scored and one run batted in.  

Brooklyn's victory coupled with Hudson Valley's loss against Lowell places them just 1.5 games back of the division lead with 19 games left to play.

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Second Straight From First Place Hudson Valley

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Cyclones lead Renegades 2-0

I - BRK 3; HVR 2

II - BRK 2; HVR 1

GAME THREE

Hudson Valley Renegades

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

That's two victories in the books with one more to go for a sweep of first place Hudson Valley.  Brooklyn has closed to within one-half game the Renegades entering Wednesday's series finale at  Coney Island.


MONDAY/GAME ONE: Jose Peroza Clutch Hit Lifts Brooklyn to Series Opening Win

The Cyclones take the series opener by a 3-2 final.  Trailing 2-1 after six and a half innings, Brooklyn strikes for a pair of runs in the home seventh.  Luke Ritter and Jake Mangum each hit safely putting runners on the corners.  Mangum then steals second putting both runners in scoring position.  With two outs Jose Peroza comes through with a sharply struck two-RBI single to center.  Making his tenth start of the season Cyclones starter Matt Cleveland yields just one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts, but does not factor in the decision.  Andrew Edwards picks up the victory in relief of Cleveland despite allowing a run on three hits and two walks with a strikeout through 1.1 innings.  Matt Mullenbach pitches the final 1.1 innings surrendering no runs, no hits, and fanning three en rout to his fourth save.  Luke Ritter connects on his third home run of the season in the second inning.


TUESDAY/GAME TWO:  Coney Walks Off Triumphantly on Antoine Duplantis Ninth Inning Hit.

Tuesday's brunch time start features Brooklyn's Garrison Bryant making his ninth start of the season being opposed by Hudson Valley southpaw John Doxakis.  Scoreless after three, the Renegades summon Steffon Moore whom contributes three more scoreless innings.  The two Renegade pitchers join in yielding no runs on just three hits and three walks with two strikeouts through six innings.  Garrison Bryant matches then allowing no runs on three hits and no walks with five strikeouts through six.  Bryant faces 21 batters wile throwing 73 pitches with 49 (67%) going for strikes.  But as was the case with Matt Cleveland in game one, Garrison does no factor in the decision.  Hunter Parson enters in relief of Bryant in the seventh and promptly surrenders the first run of the game on left fielder Pedro Diaz' clutch two-out RBI single to left.  First baseman Gavin Garay and pinch-hitter Jake Ortega open the bottom of the ninth with consecutive hits.  Right fielder Raul Beracierta successfully bunts both runners into scoring position.  Jake Mangum then singles home pinch-runner Kennie Taylor.  After which Antoine Duplantis follows with a single to center scoring Ortega for the walk-off win.  Josh Hekja whom pitches a scoreless top half of the frame is credited with his first career victory as a pro.


McNAMARA DIVISION:

• Hudson Valley  28-21 *
• Brooklyn          26-22  0.5 GB
• Aberdeen         28-23  1.0 GB
• Staten Island    27-23  1.5 GB

• NewYorkPennLeague

Brooklyn Cyclones: Garrison Bryant's Gem Lifts Brooks to Victory

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

THURSDAY

Lowell      1

Brooklyn  6

FINAL

Brooklyn salvages their series finale against the Lowell Spinners.  But their competitors provide them no help in the standings.  Cyclones starter Garrison Bryant yields just one run on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts through six innings pitched.  He faces 22 batters, and throws 75 pitches with 53 (71%) going for strikes.  Garrison earns his third victory and lowers his ERA to an even 3.00 mark.  Hunter Parsons and Luis Silva join in relief of Bryant on three scoreless innings of one hit ball.  Yoel Romero connects on his third home run of the season. Center fielder Kennie Taylor is 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI.  McNamara Division leader Aberdeen defeats Mahoning Valley to stay 1.5 games ahead of Brooklyn.  Hudson Valley bests Auburn to stay within one game of first.

Brooklyn Cyclones Retake Share of First Place

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

FRIDAY

Brooklyn   2

Vermont    1

10 innings

Will that be nine runs, or two?  Pick your poison.  After putting up a nine spot in back-to-back games against the Tri-City Valley Cats, the Brooklyn Cyclones travel up to Burlington, Vermont, where they engage the Lake Monsters in an old fashioned pitching duel.  Vermont third baseman Jordan Diaz drives home the game's first run in the fourth off Brooklyn starter Garrison Bryan.  It would turn out being the Lake Monsters lone run of the game.  The Cyclones promptly tie the score in the top of the fifth on hits from Joe Genord and Ariel Yera off Monster starter Yorlenis Noa, and a RBI single from Raul Beracierta off reliever Clark Cota.  The game remains knotted at one through nine innings, and into extra innings they go.

Jose Peroza is the obligatory runner placed at second base to start the tenth.  He advances to third on Ariel Yera's successful bunt single.  Jake Mangum then reaches on a botched fielder's choice to first allowing Peroza to score from third with the go-ahead run.  Brooklyn reliever Hunter Parsons is the beneficiary having pitched two scoreless innings in relief of starter Garrison Bryant, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts en route to his first victory of the season.  Nelson Leon pitches a clean bottom half of the tenth with two strikeouts to earn his first save of the season.

The lead story however is starting pitcher Garrison Bryant.  Despite the no-decision, he throws a gem.  Making is eighth start for Brooklyn, Garrison faces 23 batters and throws 80 pitches with 51 (64%) going for strikes.  He yields the one lone run on just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  Bryant is one of just five New York-Penn League starting pitchers with a WHiP below one.

• Brooklyn Cyclones pitching ranks fourth with a 3.27 team ERA.  They also lead the league with 16 saves.

Brooklyn's third straight victory, coupled with Hudson Valley's defeat of Aberdeen creates a (mathematical) three-way tie for first place.  The Cyclones and Renegades close out Friday's action with identical 23-16 (.590) records, while Aberdeen now sports a 24-17 (.585) record.  The Staten Island Yankees lose both games of a double-header against Lowell to fall 4.5 games back of the McNamara Division leaders.

Brooklyn Cyclones Lay Early Claim to Division Lead

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Cyclones Split Series w/ Ironbirds

I - ABD 4; BKN 3

II - BKN 4; ABD 1

TUESDAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Lowell Spinner

FROM

LeLacheur Park

With Monday's victory the Cyclones gain a two game split with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, and coupled with their sweep of the Staten Island Yankees close out their season opening home stand with a successful 3-1 record.

New York Mets fifth round selection Nathan Jones makes his professional debut with two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with one walk and five strikeouts.  He faces just seven batters while throwing 39 pitches with 21 (53%) going for strikes.  Garrison Bryant up this season from (R) Kingsport takes over in the third yielding just one run on two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts though 4.1 innings en route to his first victory.  Also making his pro debut, Daniel Goggin pitches a scoreless ninth to earn his first save.  Four Brooklyn pitchers combine in limiting the Ironbirds to a run on just two hits and two walks with 14 strikeouts.

First baseman Joe Genord opened the scoring with a run scoring sac-fly in the first.  Second baseman and seventh round selection Luke Ritter then connected on his first home run as part of a three run third inning giving the Cyclones a 4-0 lead and ultimate 4-1 margin of victory.

Brooklyn now heads to Lowell where they'll take on the Spinners.

Home of the Lowell Spinners