Jersey Shore Claws Back at Cyclones to Even Final Series at Coney Island

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

Three Home Runs Not Enough to Save Jaison Vilera From Jersey Shore Blue Claws

Game two features Jersey Shore right-hander Victor Vargas hurling against Jaison Vilera for Brooklyn.

Blue Claws third baseman Nicolas Torres leads off the second with a double, advances to third, and scores on a passed ball.  The Cyclones knot the game in the third on Cody Bohanek's eighth home run this season.  

Jersey right fielder Carlos De La Cruz then homers in the visitor's fourth.  But Brooklyn again ties the game on Francisco Alvarez's 21st home run this season, leading off the bottom of the frame.

After a scoreless fifth, Jersey Shore with two outs in the sixth rally to take a 3-2 lead and knock Jaison Vilera out of the box.  Incoming reliever Colby Morris yields a run-scoring hit charged to Vilera.  Making his twentieth start for Brooklyn, Jaison Vilera exits on the losing side of a two-run game, allowing all four runs on five hits (one home run) and one walk with five strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.

Colby Morris and right-hander Tom Sutera duel through a scoreless seventh.

In relief of Morris, Evy Ruibal twirls a scoreless eight.  Cody Bohanek pulls the Cyclones within one in the bottom of the frame upon launching his second home run of the game.  

Evy Ruibal returns to the bump in the ninth, and with two outs, Jersey Shore loads the bases.  But Ruibal regroups to strike out shortstop Luis Garcia ending the threat.  

Blue Claws right-hander Mark Potter is tasked with pitching the home ninth.  Right fielder Zack Ashford draws a leadoff walk.  But Jaylen Palmer goes down swinging, and right fielder Raul Beracierta looks at strike three.  With two outs, catcher Nic Gaddis draws a four-pitch walk putting the winning run on first.  But Branden Fryman then grounds to short for a force-out at second, ending the game.

Mr. hard-luck Vaison Vilera sees his record fall to 3-8 with an unsightly 7.24 ERA, while Morris and Ruibal join together for three scoreless innings.

Cody Bohanek leads Coney Island, going 3 for 4 with two home runs, while Franciso Alvarez extends his team lead and the Brooklyn Cyclones' single-season record with twenty-one. 

Jersey Shore ties the series at one.  BOXSCORE

Wilmer Reyes Makes Grand Return With Decisive Triple; Brooklyn Cyclones Take Third Straight From Hudson Valley

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

Coney Island Continues Getting In Last Licks Against Renegades Before Season's End; Take 3-1 Series Lead

Shortstop seems to agree with Cody Bohanek, who takes over the position from Ronny Mauricio upon his promotion earlier today to Binghamton.  

Leading off the game for Brooklyn, Bohanek homers off Hudson Valley starter Beck Way for a prompt 1-0 lead.  However, it does not last.  Making his 19th start for Brooklyn, Jaison Vilera surrenders two runs in the home first on three hits, including a triple by right fielder Jake Sanders.  But the Cyclones quickly tie the game in the second on Zack Ashford's run-scoring single.

Beck Way earns himself a trip to the showers in the third after walking the bases loaded.  With two outs, returning member of the 2019 champion Cyclones, first baseman Wilmer Reyes greets incoming reliever Trevor Holloway with a bases-clearing double to left field; all runs charged to Beck Way.

Facing Holloway in the fifth, catcher Francisco Alvarez draws a leadoff walk and comes around to score on a fielder's choice for a 6-2 lead.

After five, Jaison Vilera exits on the winning side, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with two strikeouts.  In relief of Vilera, Hunter Parsons yields a home run in the home eighth.  Afterwhich, Dylan Hall enters in relief of Parsons and yields a second run before the frame is through.

They go at Dutchess Stadium into the ninth inning, with Brooklyn holding on to a 6-4 lead.

Hudson Valley right-hander Derek Craft surrenders a leadoff hit to Francisco Alvarez but retires the next three batters consecutively.  Brooklyn right-hander Evi Ruibal is called upon to pitch the ninth and completes the job to earn his second save.  Mr. Hard-Luck himself, Jaison Vilera, earns his third victory.

All told, four Brooklyn pitchers limit Hudson Valley to four runs on seven hits and just two walks with eight collective strikeouts.  

• BOXSCORE

But in a ponderously more familiar aspect of Brooklyn's season, the Cyclones muster eight hits and draw eight walks, yes, but strikeouts an absurd 18 times.  Said another way, Brooklyn sends 41 batters to the plate, and 43.9% of them struck out ... and the organizational powers that be find this acceptable.

2019 NYPL Champion ... thank you so much! Be well and good luck at Binghamton. https://t.co/NPxbH09alq

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) September 9, 2021

 

Good Luck! On behalf of Brooklyn fans, thank you! https://t.co/uzp6qpVCxR

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) September 9, 2021

 

Aberdeen Ironbirds Salvage Finale; Brooklyn Cyclones Still Take Series , 4-3

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

VII - ABD 5; BRK 1

Cyclones Bats Go Silent in Finale Against Ironbirds

Making his 18th start for Brooklyn, Jaison Vilera gets himself into trouble right away, issuing a pair of leadoff walks which Aberdeen converts into a run.  The Ironbirds post two more in the second; after surrendering a leadoff double, catcher Willy Yahn connects off Vilera for a home run.  

Jaison Vilera exits on the losing side of a 3-0 affair after yielding five hits and four walks in just 3.1 innings pitched.

Aberdeen scores single runs against Colby Morris in the fifth and Michel Otanez in the eighth innings. Still, they're unnecessary as the Cyclones are limited to just one run in the third on Cody Bohanek's sixth home run this season.

In a somewhat familiar script this season, the Cyclones are limited to just four hits and work out only three walks while striking out a dozen times.

How many times have I said that before ...

Shortstop Ronny Mauricio (2) and Oscar Campos account for Brooklyn's three other hits.

Three Aberdeen pitchers join together for twelve strikeouts and six scoreless innings after the third.  Southpaw Jake Prizina earns the win, Adam Stauffer the save.

Brooklyn nonetheless wins the series against Aberdeen, four games to three.

The Cyclones next host the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Tuesday at Coney Island.  BOXSCORE

Home Runs and Stellar Bullpen Effort Lift Brooklyn Cyclones to Series Opening Win Over Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

ABERDEEN @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 9; ABD 6

Cyclones Twice Overcome Deficits; Bullpen Tosses 5.1 Scoreless Innings 

Back home at Coney Island facing a familiar foe in the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Cyclones overcome a four-run first-inning deficit with two runs in the bottom of the frame and three runs in the third for a 5-4 advantage.  The Ironbirds reclaim the high ground with two in the fourth.  But Brooklyn answers with another four-run outburst in the home seventh.  The score then remains unchanged through the ninth.

Making his 17th start for Brooklyn, right-hander Jaison Vilera is hit hard, allowing six runs on eight hits, including a home run and one walk over 3.1 innings pitched but still escapes with a no-decision.  Enter Josh Hejka with four strikeouts over 2.2 scoreless innings.  In one of baseball's odd instances when less is more, Evy Rubial wins for tossing a scoreless seventh.  Right-hander Willy Taveras then twirls a scoreless eighth and ninth innings to preserve Brooklyn's 9-6 series-opening victory over Aberdeen.

Center fielder Antoine Duplantis walks leading off the home first and scores on Ronny Mauricio's triple.  Mauricio then crosses home on Francisco Alvarez's fielder's choice to short.

With two runners on base in the third, Ronny Mauricio launches his 17th home run this season over the right field wall, i.e., into the breeze coming off the beach ... so there!

Brooklyn loads the bases in the seventh.  With one out, a Jeremy Vasquez sacrifice fly to left field plates Jaylen Palmer from third.  Then with two outs, third baseman Jose Peroza connects for a home run over the left field wall.

Ronny Mauricio finishes the game 3 for 3 with a walk, triple, home run, three runs scored, four runs batted in, and Jose Peroza doubles and homers in four trips.  For Francisco Alvarez, his 48th run batted in wearing a Cyclone uniform.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Lose Battle of Situational Hitting; Renegades Seize Series Opener in Tenth Inning

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 0-1

I - HVR 3; BRK 2*

*10 innings

A Tale of Two At-Bats: 

Sacrifice Fly  >  Double Play 

Making his 16th start, Jaison Vilera is tasked with Tuesday's series opener at Hudson Valley, opposed by Anderson Munoz from the rival Renegades.

Right fielder Jose Martinez draws a base on balls leading off the second, then advances to second base on a wild pitch.  Designated hitter Jeremy Vasquez grounds to first advancing Martinez to third.  Anderson Munoz then unleashes his second wild pitch allowing Martinez to score.  But with two outs in the bottom half of the frame, Renegade designated hitter Mickey Gasper homers, tying the game at one.

The score remains unchanged through the fourth.  In the fifth, Hudson Valley second baseman Roberto Chirinos' run-scoring single gives the Renegades their first lead.  But Jose Martinez drives home the tying run in the Cyclone eighth.

Both starting pitchers exit to no-decisions.  Jaison Vilera faces 22 batters, allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts.  In facing 16 batters, Anderson Munoz allows a run but no hits and three walks with nine strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.

Brooklyn's bullpen trio of Willy Taveras, Michel Otanez, and Colby Morris yields just one hit with four strikeouts through four scoreless innings.  After a quiet ninth, into extra innings, they go at Hudson Valley.

At the top of the tenth, Antoine Duplantis successfully bunts the Phantom Menace over to third.  With one out, Jaylen Palmer draws a walk putting runners on the corners.  Shortstop Ronny Mauricio then steps in and promptly grounds into an inning-ending 4-6-2 double play.

You know what comes next ... BOXSCORE

Colby Morris returns to the bump for the bottom half of the tenth.  The Phantom Menace advances to third on a ground ball, short to first, then scores on a sacrifice fly to center field.  Without yielding so much as a hit or walk, Morris is tagged with the loss despite being in the act of securing two outs.  The only difference being Hudson Valley's outs proved more productive than those of the Cyclones.

Hudson Valley Continues Flexing Dominance Over Brooklyn Cyclones With Series Opening One-Hitter

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 1-0

I - HVR 5; BRK 0

Brooklyn Cyclones One-Hit By Hudson Valley Renegades; Now, Where Have I Heard That Before ...

There would be no slugging along Surf Avenue this evening.  Of course, strikeouts were in abundance, and bases on balls were actually favorably high, not that the Cyclones could take advantage.

Instead, this is turning into a familiar refrain: Look what the Hudson Valley Renegades did to the Brooklyn Cyclones, again!

Renegade starter Randy Vasquez allows just one hit and two walks with ten strikeouts while facing 21 batters over six innings pitched for the win.  The bullpen of Nelson L Alvarez and Nick Ernst account for the final three innings allowing no runs and no hits to close out Hudson Valley's one-hit shutout victory in game one at Coney Island.

Second baseman Edgardo Fermin singles with two outs in the second, and that was that.  Five times Brooklyn sent to the plate a bare minimum of three batters.

The game doesn't start well to begin with.  Making a rare start at first base, Cody Bohanek's first inning misplay clears the way for an unearned run.  Afterwhich, there's no begrudging starter Jaison Vilera who allows just one earned run in the sixth, on six total hits and one walk with six strikeouts in a losing effort.

Three members from Brooklyn's bullpen join together in surrendering another three runs on five hits and four walks over the final 3.1 innings.

With Tuesday's victory, the Renegades improve to 14-5 this season against the Cyclones.  Boxscore

Brooklyn Cyclones Crash Upon Jersey Shore Like a Tidal Wave; Extend Win Streak To Seven

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

CONEY ISLAND leads JERSEY SHORE; 1-0

I - BK 14; JS 5

It was high tide at Jersey Shore as wave after wave of Brooklyn youth crossed home plate.

Tuesday's series opener begins innocently enough.  Starting behind the plate, Francisco Alvarez singles home Edgardo Fermin in the first, and Blue Claw left fielder Jhailyn Ortiz homers in the second off Cyclone starter Jaison Vilera. 

Typical stuff ...

Brooklyn then scores twice in the third.  Left fielder Joe Suozzi scores from third on a fielder's choice, and Francisco Alvarez drives home his second run.  Afterwhich Jeremy Vasquez homers, leading off the fourth,

... and then the rout begins.

The Cyclones post five runs in the fifth, but Jersey Shore answers with four in the bottom half of the frame.  Jaison Vilera is removed after five runs on seven hits, and no walks with three strikeouts through 4.2 innings.  Right-hander Hunter Parsons takes over mound duty.  Not yet done, the Blankmeyers tack on four more runs in the sixth for a more comfortable 13-5 lead.  Both Edgardo Fermin and Ronny Mauricio hit a pair of home runs respectively in the fifth and sixth innings.

Right-hander Connor O'Neil climbs the bump in the seventh in relief of Parsons and proceeds to throw two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts.

Jersey Shore throws one away in the eighth when Jeremy Vasquez scores on a wild pitch.

Brian Metoyer throws a scoreless ninth to close out the Cyclones' seventh consecutive victory and the first in the series against the Blue Claws.

Edgardo Fermin drives in five of Brooklyn's 14 runs.  Hunter Parsons earns the win.

• BOXSCORE

Francisco Alvarez Powers Brooklyn Cyclones In Series Opener Against Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN leads WILMINGTON; 1-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

Francisco Alvarez Turns Game Around With Three-Run Knock; Ronny Mauricio Drives Home Three

Wilmington returns to Coney Island and wastes no time getting on the board against starter Jaison Vilera for two runs in three hits in the first and two more runs on another three hits in the second.  

But the Surf Avenue sluggers get their pitcher off the hook with a five-run outburst in the third.  First baseman Joe Genord scores on a fielder's choice, Ronny Mauricio drives home a run, and Francisco Alvarez caps off the frame with a three-run home run.  

Mauricio drives home two more runs during a three-run fourth.  

Jaison Vilera exits on the winning side of an 8-4 game, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts through five for the win, his second this season against five losses with a ghastly 8.24 ERA.  

The bullpen yields two runs over four innings pitched with six strikeouts.  Right-hander Josh Hejka earns the save.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Outlast Jersey Shore In Tightly Contested Pitching Duel at Coney Island

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Jersey Shore; 1-0

I - BRK 1; JS 0

BOXSCORE

Fans Of Old Time Pitching Duels Have Their Night At The Boardwalk

With the Cyclones back at Coney Island, Jaison Vilera takes his turn on the slab and is opposed by Jonathan Hughes for Jersey Shore.  The two engage in a scoreless duel into the fifth.  However, Hughes is relieved by J.P. Woodward with two outs in the bottom half of the frame, and Jaison Vilera's night ends after the fifth as well. 

Right-hander Colby Morris and Woodward continue dueling through the sixth, after which Blake Brown enters for the Blue Claws and hurls a scoreless seventh.  Colby Morris completes his second scoreless inning then gives way to Michel Otanez, who retires three of four batters faced in the eighth. Blake Brown returns to the hill for the bottom half of the frame and sinfully walks leadoff batter  Edgardo Fermin, who, after a pitching change, eventually comes around to score the go-ahead run on Jeremy Vasquez's sacrifice fly to left field against Jersey's Tyler Burch.

Michel Otanez climbs the bump for the top half of the ninth and retires three of five batters to secure Brooklyn series-opening victory against the Jersey Shore Blue Claws and earn the win, his second against no defeats.  Jersey Shore is limited to just three hits over five scoreless innings tossed by starter Jaison Vilera.  Three members of the Cyclone bullpen join together on four innings of no-hit, no-run ball.

Shortstop Ronny Mauricio accounts for two of just six hits for Brooklyn.  Jeremy Vasquez and Cody Bohanek (playing third base in Brooklyn's reconfigured infield) hit for extra bases.  The Cyclones only strike out five times and draw five walks but bat 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

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: Jersey Shore Triumphant In First Ever Visit To Coney Island

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE ON THE BOARDWALK

GAME ONE
Jersey Shore BlueClaws  7

Brooklyn Cyclones           5

FINAL/BOX

BlueClaws Bullpen Stops Brooklyn Comeback Cold In Its Tracks

Jupiter Pluvius does the Brooklyn Cyclones no favors ...

.. and so it is, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws are triumphant in their first-ever venture into Coney Island.

Oh, the shame ...

Insofar as the game, once both starting pitchers are yanked from the mound, the whole complexion of this contest changes - as if to say, all is well, nothing more to see here; go back to your homes.

Unfortunately for Brooklyn, an early and rather large deficit proves too much to overcome.

In the second inning, Jersey Shore third baseman D.J. Stewart says hello to Kings County with a home run against starter Jaison Vilera who in the very next frame yields six more runs, all earned.  Once the dust settles, Vilera is charged with seven earned runs on seven hits, including two home runs, and three walks, in a mere 2.2 innings pitched.

After wielding just two hits through the first three innings, Brooklyn finally gets on the board against Blue Claws starter Dominic Pipkin when Francisco Alvarez laces a double down the left-field line scoring Ronny Mauricio (single) and Brett Baty (double).  Joe Genord singles home Alvarez, and center fielder Adrian Hernandez plates two more, making it a 7-5 game.

Francisco Alvarez leaves the game (leg) and is replaced behind the plate by Juan Uriarte as they head into the fifth.  Perhaps asking your backstop who is built like a Mack truck to catch in 72% humidity (as I listen in from nearby Bensonhurst), leg out a double, then race from second to home was a bit much on the legs.  The announcers were sticking to a precautionary, and proactive explanation, but they did mention he was limping in the dugout.  Put that through the translator.  Otherwise, I hope it was just cramps.  Stay tuned ...

In relief of Vilera, right-hander Colby Morris puts forth his longest outing this season.  His previous high was 2.2 innings pitched.  He faces twelve batters and throws 51 pitches, with 30 (58.8%) going for strikes.  He strikes out the side in the fifth as part of three innings of no-hit, no-run ball.  All told, he strikes out four but clearly tires in the sixth inning, walking two batters before making his exit.  With two out and two runners on base, Michel Otanez enters the game and closes out the frame.

With the game in the hands of Jersey Shore's Manuel Silva and Otanez for Brooklyn, the score remains unchanged through the seventh as Brett Baty bounces into an inning-ending double play to close out the frame.  Otanez exits after 1.1 scoreless innings pitch with one hit allowed; into the game comes Allan Winans, who twirls a scoreless top eight.  Silva, in turn, tosses three scoreless innings for the Blue Claws.  He is relieved by Aneurys Zabala, who likewise closes out the home half of the eighth.

Winans goes out for the ninth and proceeds to retire Jersey Shore in order.  Zabala likewise climbs the bump for the home ninth.  First up, Joe Genord strikes out swinging.  Next, LT Struble works the count full and draws a one-out walk.  Antoine Duplantis then strikes out swinging.  Finally, like Genord and Duplantis before him, Cody Bohanek caps off an 0 for 5 night with a strikeout of the swinging variety.  It was Brooklyn's twelfth strikeout of the game, yet another double-digit demonstration.

File this under the comeback that wasn't.  Brooklyn's five-run outburst in the fifth was all there was, two runs short.  The Jersey Shore bullpen made sure of that.

• Quick Note: spell check keeps wanting to turn Aneurys Zabala's name into Aneurysm!

Brooklyn Cyclones Drop Thursday Twin Bill to Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

THE CONEY ISLAND STRIKEOUT 

INSTRUCTIONAL ACADEMY

This is getting pretty ridiculous ...

Through 20 games, Cyclone batters have struck out 232 times for an average of 11.6 K's per game.  The opposition has struck out 192 times for a 9.6 per game average.

Brooklyn batters have thus far achieved double-digit strikeouts 15 times, which is to say only five times have they fanned nine times or less.  Their fewest in any game is six.  In only their fourth game of the season, the Cyclones struck out 17 times against Asheville.  In one game against Greenville, they fanned 15 times, then followed up the next day with 14 strikeouts; that's 29 strikeouts in two games.  Against the Hudson Valley Renegades, they struck out a season-high 18 times, and in two other games, whiffed 15 each time.  The opposition has achieved double-digit strikeouts ten times and struck out upwards of 15 times in a game just once.

Is this what they're teaching these kids?  The answer is likely and analytically, yes.  These games are effectively no different than present-day major league baseball.

Launch this!

DOUBLE-HEADER

Aberdeen Ironbirds

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

 

Denton True Young disguised as Aberdeen right-hander Grayson Rodriguez limits Coney Island to one run on just two hits and one walk with nine strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Reliever Kade Strowd yields one run on four hits with two strikeouts.  Brett Baty and designated hitter Francisco Alvarez drive home Brooklyn's only two runs.  In a losing effort, starter Jaison Vilera surrenders five runs, four earned, on six hits, including a home run by DH Johnny Riser, with three walks and five strikeouts.  Brett Baty drives home his 17th run in 19 games.

• BOXSCORE: Game One
• FINAL:  ABD 6; BKN 2

Designated hitter Blake Tiberi breaks up the no-hitter in the third, and Zach Ashford (up from St. Lucie) doubles home Brett Baty to ruin the shutout in the fourth inning.  Four hits and nine strikeouts, that's the extent of your highlights; get home safely.

• BOXSCORE: Game Two
• FINAL: ABD 10; BKN 1

Brooklyn Cyclones: So Many Strikeouts, So Little Runs

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Renegades lead Cyclones; 2-1

I - HVR 4; BKN 3

II - BKN 14; HVR 0

III - HVR 6; BKN 1

Three Hits, Fifteen Strikeouts, Fuhgeddaboudit ...

They weren't the Surf Avenue Sluggers on this night ... far from it.  Hudson Valley starter Luis Medina limits Brooklyn to one run on one hit - catcher Hayden Senger triples and scores on a double-play in the third.  Otherwise, Medina faces 19 batters and strikes out eleven through 5.2 innings pitched.  Relievers Elvis Peguero and Matt Minnick join for 3.1 scoreless innings allowing just two hits and fanning four.  That's fifteen strikeouts, folks!  They struck out eleven-time in game one.

• Ronny Mauricio extends his hitting streak to start the season to fourteen games.

Cyclones starter Jaison Vilera allows three runs, two earned, on three hits, including a home run by shortstop Ezequiel Duran, through five innings pitched.  Reliever Colby Morris fares worse, yielding three runs on four hits in one inning pitched.  

Brooklyn drops to 5-9 (.357) and now trails the series against the Hudson Valley Renegades, two games to one.

• Hudson Valley Renegades
• BROOKLYN CYCLONES

Brooklyn Cyclones Queasy After Rollercoaster Ride at Fluor Field

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

2001   20th   2021

ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Drive lead Cyclones; 3-2

I - BKN 6; GVL 1

II - BKN 3; GVL 2

III - GVL 8; BKN 2

IV - GVL 5; BKN 1

V - GVL 8; BKN 4

SUNDAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Greenville Drive

FROM

Fluor Field

After Staging Comeback, Cyclones Come Undone in the Eighth

Second baseman Luke Ritter in the first inning drives home the first Cyclones run of the game, and away they go!  

Or, so we thought ...

Facing Brooklyn starter Jaison Vilera in the fourth, first baseman Tyreque Reed connects on a two-run home run over the center-field fence; catcher Alan Marrero follows with another two-run blast over the Green Monster in left for a 4-1 lead.  Jake Mangum scores on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, then in the eighth dramatically launches his own two-run home run just to the right of the Green Monster, tying the game at four.  

But the sense of joy is short-lived as the proverbial piano falling out of the sky had a Cyclones logo on it.  Greenville generates four runs in the home eighth against reliever Brian Metoyer.  An error in center field by Jake Mangum exacerbated the matter.

Greenville wins their third straight and now leads the series, 3 to 2.  Brooklyn looks to salvage a series split on Sunday.  Ten games into their journey through new territories, the Coney Islanders have lost six and won four. 

• BOXSCORE: Saturday, May 15, 2021; GAME #10

The beach beckons!  Opening Day at MCU Park is now just two days away.  

NOTE: I called the box office on Saturday.  The ticket window will be open as usual.  They will be allowing upwards of 1,500 fans into the park with the stipulation you must be fully vaccinated.

Brooklyn Cyclones: McNamara Division Proving Difficult Hill to Climb

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BASEBALL BY THE BEACH

West Virginia Black Bears

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Steeplechase Grounds

CONEY ISLAND

The McNamara Division is fit to be tied.  Just over one-third through the 2019 season, all four member clubs have taken turns occupying first place.  By close of business Saturday, the Hudson Valley Renegades lead both the Brooklyn Cyclones and Aberdeen Ironbirds by one game, and the Staten Island Yankees by 2.5 games.

Offensively speaking, the Cyclones are somewhat of an enigma.

• Hits: 5th in league; 1st in division.
• Home runs: 5th in league; 2nd division.
• Total bases: 5th in league; 1st division.
• Team average: 5th in league; 1st division.
• Team slugging: 4th in league; 1st division.
• OPS: 8th in league: but 2nd division.
• Yet Coney Island is sixth in the league in strikeouts, dead last in walks, and 11th in the league in runs scored.

(LF)-Yoel Romero is batting .321 which rates third in the league.  With only six NYPL players presently hitting above .300, (RF)-Ranfy Adon's .277 mark ranks 12 best.

(2B)-Luke Ritter ranks fourth in the league with a .392 OPS.  Yoel Romero is second on the team and 13th in the league with a .369 OPS.

(1B)-Joe Genord is fourth in the circuit with a .506 slugging average.  Yoel Romero is right behind Joe with a fifth ranked .500 slugging average.

• YOEL ROMERO  .321/.369/.500, six doubles, two HR, ten RBI through 78 at-bats.
• JOE GENORD  .259/320/.506, six doubles, five HR, 19 RBI through 85 at-bats.

Cyclones pitching has been somewhat more confounding.

• The Cyclones have so far yielded the NYPL's least hits.
• As such they own the league's second lowest WHiP; second in division.
• They've surrendered the seventh most earned runs; but the least within the division.
• The seventh most home runs; but second least in division.
• The seventh most walks; but least within the division.
• However Cyclones 3.56 team ERA ranks eighth; last in division.
• The sixth most strikeouts; but third in division.

Starter Jaison Vilera is presently the lone Cyclone starting pitcher sporting an ERA (3.81) below four among those with at least four starts.  He likewise leads the Cyclones with a 1.20 WHiP.  Garrison Bryant is second with a 1.26 WHiP, and also leads the team with 27 strikeouts.  Vilera has 23 strikeouts through through 28.1 innings pitched.  

• Daison Acosta is 1-0 with a 0.98 ERA and 0.82 WHiP, yielding just two earned runs on none hits and six walks with 25 strikeouts though 18.1 innings pitched.

Seven different relievers have registered saves for manager Alfonzo.  Luis Silva leads with four despite an unsightly 6.75 ERA through 9.1 innings.  However relievers Andrew Edwards, Matt Mullenbach, and Dan Goggin, have joined to post a 3-1 record with a 2.08 ERA and six saves with 37 strikeouts and ten hits allowed through 30.2 innings.

The Cyclones are 6-7 in the month of July, and 15-13 overall.  In fact the Cyclones and West Virginia Black Bears enter Sunday's action with identical records.  Brooklyn outlasts the Black Bears 3-1 in Saturday's series opener.  Starting pitcher Alec Kisena,  and relievers Daniel Goggin, Yeudy Conlon, and  Matt Mullenbach join to yield just one run on five hits and five walks with 15 strikeouts.  Goggin earns his second relief win of the season.  Mullenbach earns his second save.

Kisena joins the Cyclones after making 16 appearances with the Columbia Fireflies, where he posts a 4.65 ERA with 17 walks and 32 strikeouts through 31 innings pitched.

• Stats: New York Penn League

SUNDAY

Black Bears   1

Cyclones       4

FINAL

Brooklyn wins their second straight against the Vest Virginia Black Bears and close to withing one-half game of the first place Hudson Valley Renegades.  Starter Matt Cleveland and closer Andrew Edwards combine on a nine inning gem.  Cleveland yields no runs on just one hit and one walk with one strikeout over 6.1 innings to earn his first victory of the season.  Edwards surrenders one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout over 2.2 innings en route to his third save.  Catcher Jose Mena is 1 for 3 with a triple, and RBI.  Second baseman Luke Ritter is 2 for 3 with two runs scored.  Center fielder Jake Mangum is 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Staten Island Rats Run Amok at Coney Island

From the desks of:  

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  and  RICHMOND COUNTY PIZZA FRAUDS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS II

Cyclones lead season series 2-1

I - BRK 5; SIY 4

II - BRK 2; SIY 1

III - SIY 10; BRK 3

IV - BRK @ SIY

V - SIY @ BRK

FRIDAY

Staten Island Yankees  10

Brooklyn Cyclones        3

FINAL

After being swept by Brooklyn during last week's home and home opening day series, Staten Island romps to their first victory over the Cyclones at Coney Island on Friday.  Despite striking out seven Yankee batters, Brooklyn starter Jaison Vilera yields five runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk in just four innings of work.  After getting a scoreless no-hit two inning effort from Daniel Goggin, Staten Island roughs up reliever Brian Metoyer for another five earned runs on three hits (one home run) and two walks in just one inning of work.

All nine batters in Staten Island's line-up record at least one hit.  Designated hitter Juan DeLeon (2 for 5, RBI) and first baseman Miguel Flames (2 for 4; home run; four RBI), post multiple hit games.

Brooklyn goes a woeful 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position.  Right fielder Zach Ashford, shortstop Yoel Romero, and third baseman Wilmer Reyes, all drive in one run apiece.

The series shifts to Staten Island for game two on Saturday, then back to Coney Island for the series finale on Sunday.

Brooklyn Cyclones Complete Season Opening Sweep of Staten Island

From the desks of:  

THE CONEY ISLAND NINE  and  THE RICHMOND COUNTY RATS

BATTLE of the BOROUGHS

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES 

OPENING DAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Staten Island Yankees

FROM

Ballpark at St. George

Starter Jaison Vilera, after making brief appearances this season at (A+) Port St. Lucie and (A) Columbia, returns for his second season with the Brooklyn Cyclones.  Making his third start of the season and his first for the Cyclones, Vilera limits the Staten Island Yankees to just one run on one hit and two walks with five strikeouts through 6.2 innings.  In the seventh, however, all that hard work almost goes for not as Vilera and reliever Nelson Leon walk the bases loaded.  Leon then unleashes a wild pitch allowing Staten Island's first run of the game.  Newly drafted Justin Lasko is summoned from the pen to secure the final out.  Southpaw Justin Wilson, on rehab from the New York Mets, pitches a scoreless eighth.  And Andrew Edwards, making his first appearance as a professional, pitches a scoreless ninth to earn his first career save.

Brooklyn wins series 2-0

I - BKN 5; SIY 4

II - BKN 2; SIY 1

Manager Fonzie goes with the same line-up as Friday's home opener at Brooklyn.  Jose Mena's RBI single in the fourth gives Brooklyn a 1-0 lead.  And Joe Genord's sac-fly plates Brooklyn's second run in the seventh; his second RBI in as many games.

Last season with Brooklyn Jaison Vilera posted a 5-2 record over 13 starts with a 1.83 ERA.  He yielded just 50 hits and fanned 78 batters though 73.2 innings pitched.

Brooklyn sweeps the two game home-and-home series against the Yankees.

Next up, the Cyclones host the Aberdeen Iron Birds.

• NewYorkPennLeague.com

• NEWS:  The New York Mets have reached an agreement with their 2019 first round selection (12th overall) third baseman Brett Baty.  He is expected to report to Brooklyn shortly.

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: Damn Yankees

From the desk of: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

SATURDAY

Yankees   3

Cyclones  1

FINAL

Brooklyn Cyclones: Pizza Rats Have Run of Coney Island.

In a game riddled with playoff implications, Staten Island starter Matt Sauer and the Yankees outlast Brooklyn ace Jaison Vilera and the Cyclones at Coney Island Saturday evening, and perhaps ensuring this year's quest to clinch the Wild Card heads towards a photo finish.

A costly two-base error by Cyclones catcher Hayden Senger puts the very first batter of the game on second base.  A subsequent two-out base hit by Yankees first baseman Eric Wagaman gives Staten Island an early 1-0 lead.  Brooklyn ties the game in the bottom of the fourth, helped by a passed ball attributed to Staten Island catcher Jackson Thoreson.

Leading off the top of the sixth, Jaison Vilera strikes out Yankees left fielder and clean-up hitter Caanan Smith.  However, Staten Island loads the bases with two hits and a walk.  Vilera regroups to strikeout third baseman Andres Chaparro, but then surrenders a two run double to Yankees right fielder and number nine hitter Junior Soto.

Reliever Aaron McGarity closes out the Yankees victory with a brilliant effort, throwing 3.2 innings of scoreless, two-hit baseball, while striking out eight of 14 batters faced.

In defeating the Batavia Muckdogs, the Wild Card leading Auburn Doubledays win their third in a row, and extend their lead over Brooklyn and Staten Island whom both are now 1.5 games back with just two games left.  All other contenders have been eliminated.

Brooklyn Cyclones: A Big Mistake By The Lake

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

The Defense Rests ...

Brooklyn Cyclones: Brooks Defense Hand Feed Monsters a Victory.

Playing off the shores of scenic Lake Champlain, the Cyclones couldn't have scripted a better start to Sunday's series opener.  Leading off the game, Ross Adolph introduces himself to Monster starting pitcher Jose Mora with a home run to left.  Four hits, three walks, and a sacrifice fly later, the Cyclones stake their ace Jaison Vilera to a commanding 6-0 lead before Vermont ever steps to the plate.

Very shortly thereafter, however, everything that could go wrong for Brooklyn, did.

A throwing error in the second by Brooklyn left fielder Wagner Lagrange leads to Vermont's first unearned run.  Two innings later, an error by center fielder Anthony Dirocie results in another pair of unearned runs.

Brooklyn is reinforced by second baseman Carlos Cortes' two-run home run midway through the sixth, giving the Cyclones an 8-3 lead. 

But that did little to tidy their sloppy play in the field.  Shortstop Manny Rodriguez' two-base error opening the bottom half of the sixth would eventually lead to Monster first baseman Aaron Arruda' two-out, three-run home run off Jaison Vilera.  But their poor play doesn't stop there.  Carlos Cortes' seventh inning error would pave the way for yet another unearned Vermont run.  Then in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on the corners and just one out, Cyclones reliever Ezequiel Zabaleta balks home the game tying run.

Into extra innings they go, as the teams trade runs in the tenth.

Coney Island's final undoing would come in the home twelfth when Brooklyn left fielder Wagner Lagrange and center fielder Anthony Dirocie suffer a miscommunication on a playable flare to shallow left/center.  Both allow the ball to drop in between them, and thus allow the winning run to score from second base.

Jaison Vilera makes his twelfth start of the regular season, but walks off with a no decision.  His record remains at 5-1 with a league leading 1.72 ERA.  He allows six runs (just two earned) on seven hits and a walk, with six strikeouts. 

IS JAISON VILERA RUNNING OUT OF GAS?

However, his seven hits allowed are a season high.  In his first eight starts, Jaison surrendered just 23 hits through 46 innings pitched, for a stellar 4.5 H/9 average.  In his last four starts since, Jaison has surrendered 24 hits in just 22 innings for an inflated 9.8 H/9 average.  In turn, his falling rate of strikeouts is perhaps confirmation of potential tiring on behalf of the Cyclones ace pitcher.  Vilera posted a 10.9 K/9 average through his first eight starts, but owns a reduced 6.5 K/9 average through four starts since.

SUNDAY CRUMMY SUNDAY

Sunday's loss to the Lake Monsters now places Brooklyn four full games behind the McNamara Division leading Hudson Valley Renegades.  The Cyclones have eight games remaining in the season which includes their upcoming three game series against the Renegades later this week at Coney Island.

In the Wild Card, Coney Island holds a half-game lead over the Auburn Doubledays, and a full game lead over Staten Island, whom lost to Hudson Valley in Sunday action.  Meanwhile, the Vermont Lake Monsters, now winners of five in a row, close to within 2.5 games of the Cyclones.