Brooklyn Cyclones Remain Tied For First With Victory at Aberdeen

From the desk of:  

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  &  THE RICHMOND COUNTY RATS

Wednesday

Brooklyn Cyclones  9

Aberdeen Ironbirds  8

FINAL

What we have here is a classic fight to the finish.  With just five games remaining in the regular season, the tightest division race in the New York Penn League, and the wild card chase for that matter, remain undecided as ever.  On Wednesday Brooklyn defeats the Ironbirds in their series opener at Aberdeen, while the Yankees defeat Hudson Valley in their series opener at Staten Island.  As a result the Cyclones and Hudson Valley Renegades end the night tied for first in the McNamara Division and the wild card race.  Aberdeen now trails both races by one full game, while Staten Island closes to within 1.5 games.

Despite bum rushing the Ironbirds for a 7-0 lead after two and a half innings of play, Brooklyn barely holds on for Wednesday's victory.  While single runs in the fourth and in the eighth cap the Cyclones output at nine, the Irondbirds answer with a trio of runs in the third, four more in the sixth, and one more in the eighth.  But they're never able to push an eighth run across the plate.  Designated hitter Gavin Garay is 3 for 5 with a run scored and two runs batted in.  Ranfy Adon goes 2 for 3 with two walks, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.  Joe Genord is 1 for 5 with three runs batted in.  Starter Michel Otanez earns his second victory of the season, despite yielding three runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts through five innings.  Reliever Mitch Ragan is roughed up for two runs on four hits in just two innings pitched.  But Nelson Leon pitches the final two innings and fans four in picking up his third save of the season.  The Cyclones ar 7-3 in their last ten games and now join Hudson Valley in the forty victory club.

WEDNESDAY

Hudson Valley Renegades  2

Staten Island Yankees         3

FINAL

At Staten Island, Hudson Valley maintains a 2-0 lead through six innings.  But the Baby Bombers finally break through for a pair in the seventh.  With the bases full catcher Thomas Gallardo scores from third on a sac-fly from third baseman Andres Chaparro, and shortstop Joe Smith scored on an error by Renegades first baseman Jacson McGowan.  Staten Island goes ahead in the eighth when designated hitter Carlos Narvaez leads-off with a double and is replaced with pinch runner Isaiah Pasteur.  After a passed ball advances Pasteur to third, pinch hitter Borinquen Mendez drives him home for a 3-2 Yankees lead, and final score.  Fading fast, Hudson Valley is now 4-6 in their last ten games.

New York Penn League

Brooklyn Cyclones Off to Maryland for Wild Showdown Versus Ironbirds

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Cyclones defeat Lake Monsters 2-1

I - BRK 12; VMT 3

II - BRK 2; VMT 0

III - VMT 3; BRK 2

WILD CARD SHOWDOWN

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

vs.

ABERDEEN IRONBIRDS

FROM

CAL RIPKEN'S WORLD

Vermont Salvages Victory in Series Finale at Coney Island

Brooklyn designated hitter Gavin Garay's double plates pinch runner Ranfy Adon with the game's tying run in the ninth, and into extra innings they go at MCU Park.  With the obligatory runner stationed at second base starting off the tenth, Vermont's Josh Watson successfully bunts Shane Selman to third.  Then, of all things Cyclones reliever Matt Mullenbach unleashes a wild pitch allowing the go-ahead run to score from third.  The Cyclones are retired in order in the bottom half of the frame ... game over.  Wilmer Reyes goes 2 for 4 with a run batted in, and Gavin Garay is 3 for 4 with a run batted in.  Together they account for five of the Cyclones seven hits.

The other bad news is that Hudson Valley defeats the Connecticut Tigers and retake sole possession of first place.  Otherwise Aberdeen and Staten Island both lose, leaving Brooklyn and the Ironbirds tied for second, one game back of the Renegades.  However Brooklyn and Aberdeen still remain tied for the wild card and will open a three game series at Aberdeen on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Staten Island is two games back of the division lead and 1.5 games back of Brooklyn and Aberdeen for the wild card.  They open a three game series against the Renegades at Staten Island.

Six games remain in the regular season.

• New York Penn League

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: All Alone in First Place

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Cyclones Sweep Lake Monsters 3-0

I - BKN 2; VER 1*

II - BKN 5; VER 1

III - BKN 9; VER 1

* 10-innings

How about those Hudson Valley Renegades!  Now there's an example of a good neighbor unlike those rats from Richmond County.  Our Dutchess County friends to the north take two of three from Aberdeen with their rubber game defeat of the Ironbirds on Sunday.  Coupled with Brooklyn's victory over the Lake Monsters, the week long mathematical voodoo spell cast over the recent McNamara Division standings is broken.  The Brooklyn Cyclones once again own a full game lead over both the Renegades and Ironbirds as of close of business Sunday.  Said another way, fractions be damned.

For a third straight game Brooklyn pitching limits Vermont to just one run.  They also hold them to just three hits; five hits in game two; and just two hits in game one.  That's three runs and just ten hits through three games.  Sunday's was a group effort.  Manager Alfonzo tasks five pitchers to cover the load.  Starter Colin Holderman kicks things off will three scoreless innings of no-hit ball with four strikeouts, although he did not factor in the decision.  Next in Corey Gaconi yields just one hit through three scoreless innings with two strikeouts, and is credited with his second win of the season.  Justin Lasko yields the Monsters lone run of the game in the seventh.  Matt Mullenbach chips in with a scoreless eighth, and Luis Silva closes out the ninth with two strikeouts.

Brooklyn tallies nine runs on 15 hits, striking four extra-base hits including home runs from shortstop Wilmer Reyes and Gavin Garay (making the start at first).  The two account for five RBI all with two outs.  The Cyclones hit 7 for 12 with runners in scoring position and strand just four runners on base.

The Kids from Coney are now winners of five straight.

TUESDAY
Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Lowell Spinners