Brooklyn Cyclones Win First Home Game in a Rout Over Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGER

Renegades and Cyclones tied; 1-1

I - HVR 4; BKN 3

II - BKN 14; HVR 0

Four Cyclones Pitchers Join Together to Hurl a Gem

Coney Island makes up for their Opening Day loss with a dominating performance in game two.  

• BOXSCORE 5/19/21: Game #13

Starting with Oscar Rojas, four Cyclones pitchers join together in limiting the Hudson Valley Renegades to just five hits over nine scoreless innings.  Rojas yields three hits in four innings; Allan Winans earns the win with two scoreless innings, followed by another two scoreless frames pitched by Bryan Metoyer, and Bryce Montes de Oca allows a hit and strikes out one in a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout.  

Hudson Valley goes 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position, whereas the Cyclones are 8 for 19 while leaving an equal seven runners on base.  Brooklyn hitters erupt for 14 runs on 14 hits, with seven going for extra bases.  Three runs in the third, five in the sixth, and six more runs in the seventh, and that's all she wrote.

Brett Baty leads the charge going 4 for 5 with a double, stolen base, and four runs batted in.  Center fielder Jake Mangum and second baseman Anthony Walters each drive in two runs apiece.  Joe Genord is 3 for 5 with a double, triple, and three runs scored.  

• Brooklyn Cyclones
• Hudson Valley Renegades

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 Muster Little in First Defeat at Greenville

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Greenville; 2-1

I - BKN 6; GVL 1

II - BKN 3; GVL 2

III - GVL 8; BKN 2

Coney Island Swings and Misses in Game Three

The Greenville Drive score early, often, and late en route to a commanding 8-2 victory over the visiting Cyclones at Fluor Field, South Carolina.  Greenville starter Chris Murphy faces 20 batters, allowing just three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched for the victory.  All told, three Drive pitchers limit Brooklyn to a pair of late runs on six hits and four walks with 15 unacceptable strikeouts.  Meanwhile, four of five Cyclones pitchers are scored upon.  Starter Oscar Rojas surrenders four runs (two home runs), three earned, on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts through only 3.2 innings pitched.  Brooklyn bats 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.  Left fielder Antoine Duplantis accounts for two of Brooklyn's six hits.  Center fielder Jake Mangum connected on his first home run, a two-run shot scoring Duplantis.  

• BOXSCORE: Thursday, May 14, 2021

Brooklyn Cyclones Win 2019 New York Penn League Championship

From the desk of: McNAMARA DIVISION & NYPL CHAMPIONS

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Brooklyn Defeats Lowell; 2-1

I - BRK 2; LOW 1

II - LOW 3; BRK 1

III - BRK 4; LOW 3

BROOKLYN WINS FIRST UNDISPUTED BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SINCE 1955

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

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

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

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

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

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

ICYMI

Cyclones Defeat Renegades; Earn Trip Back to Championship Series

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

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019

CYCLONES STARTER NATHAN JONES TAKES HIS WARM-UPS

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

BOTTOM FIRST

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

THIRD INNING

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

TOP SEVENTH

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

BOTTOM SEVENTH

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

TOP NINTH

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

THIS IS NEXT YEAR!!

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

Hudson Valley Outlasts Brooklyn Cyclones in Playoff Opener

From the desk of: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

DUTCHESS STADIUM

Renegades lead series 1-0

I - HVR 5; BRK 4

THURSDAY

Hudson Valley Renegades (1-0)

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones (0-1)

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

A do or die situation awaits the Cyclones at Coney Island when the series shifts to Brooklyn for game two against the Renegades, as Hudson Valley outlasts the Cyclones in Wednesday's opening game of the New York Penn League playoffs at Dutchess County.

• NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

Brooklyn keeps pace with the Renegades who score a run in the second and two in the third.  The Cyclones counter with a run in the third, and two in the fourth to forge a three all tie.  Coney takes their first lead of the game in the fifth when Antoine Duplantis scores on a fielder's choice.  But the advantage is short lived.  Renegades center fielder K.V. Edwards works out walk leading off the bottom half of the frame against Brooklyn starter Michel Otanez.  Shortstop Greg Jones follows with a home run to right for a 5-4 Hudson Valley lead and ultimate victory.  Michel Otanez yields all five runs on three hits and four walks with one strikeout pitching into the fifth.  He also surrenders a home run to first baseman Jacson McGowan in the third.  The Cyclones get runs batted in from Jake Mangum, Jose Peroza, and Luke Ritter.  Mitch Ragan and Jared Biddy join to pitch four scoreless innings of four hit ball with three strikeouts in relief of Otanez.  Hudson Valley's Jayden Murray allows four runs, but only one earned, on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts through seven innings pitched for the victory.  Ryan Jackson closes the door on Brooklyn with two scoreless innings in relief of Murray for the save.  Michel Otanez earns the loss.

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 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: Crosscut Again at Williamsport

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

ROAD TRIP

SUNDAY

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Williamsport Crosscutters

FROM

Centre of Little League Universe

Coney Island Loses Second Straight at Williamsport

Opportunities lost, not to mention nine losses in their last 14 games.  The Cyclones continue slip sliding away it seems.  On Saturday, the Hudson Valley Renegades help Brooklyn's cause with a loss against West Virginia, while Aberdeen likewise obliges with a loss against the Vermont Lake Monsters.  Only the Cyclones are unable to help themselves.

Leading 3-1 after seven and a half, Luis Silva toes the rubber for Brooklyn.  Williamsport right fielder Hunter Hearn and DH Herbert Iser lead-off with consecutive hits.  Silva then walks center fielder Corbin Williams loading the bases.  Silva unleashes a wild pitch allowing Hearn to score, both runners advance into scoring position.  Yet another wild pitch allows Iser to score.  Silva then issues shortstop Bryson Stott an intentional pass, whom promptly steals second.  After walking catcher Logan O'Hoppe manager Alfonzo finally gives Silva the hook.  Brian Metoyer enters the game.  The Crosscutters score a third time on second baseman Kendall Simmons sac-fly plating Williams.  Williamsport's Alejandro Made retires the Cyclones in order in the ninth.  Luis Silva is tagged with the loss upon surrendering three runs on two hits and three walks with one strikeout in just one third of an inning.

Brooklyn gets runs batted in from right fielder Jake Mangum, third baseman baseman Jose Peroza, and second baseman Luke Ritter.

As of close of business Saturday Hudson Valley sits atop the McNamara Division with two games in hand over the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  Otherwise Aberdeen is in yet another mathematical tie for first place.  Brooklyn is now 1.5 games out of first place.  Even Staten Island closes their gap to just 2.5 game out of the lead.  In fact, Staten Island is the hottest team in the division, having gone 7-3 in their last ten.

First Place Brooklyn Cyclones Keep Connecticut Tigers at Bay

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

THE DODD

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Connecticut Tigers

FROM

Thomas Dodd Memorial Stadium

NORWICH

Brooklyn's road trip continues through Connecticut, where the Cyclones begin a three game weekend series against the Tigers on Saturday. 

The home team opens the scoring straightaway on right fielder Kona Quiggle's RBI hit in the first.  However, Cyclones pitching would yield no more.  Starter Matt Cleveland collaborates with three relievers on a one unearned run seven hit performance with just three walks and seven strikeouts.  The Cyclones score four times in the fifth with runs batted in from Chandler Avant (recently shifted from Columbia Fireflies) and Wilmer Reyes.  Reyes would later cap off the scoring with a two run home run in the eighth en route to the 6-1 game one victory at the Dodd.

LEAPFROGGING THE RENEGADES

Wednesday's rain out at Dutchess County ballpark forces the formerly first place Renegades and Cyclones to play a Thursday double-header.  The teams split the day with the Cyclones taking game one by a 3-2 final.  Jose Mena hits a one out home run in the seventh to put Brooklyn ahead, and P.J. Conlon closes out Hudson Valley in the bottom half of the frame for his first save of the season. 

In game two Brooklyn takes a 6-5 lead into the final frame but are unable to close out the game.  Cyclone reliever Hunter Parsons yields a lead-off walk, two hits and surrenders the tying run.  He then unleashes a wild pitch and intentionally walks the bases loaded before surrendering the game winning hit off the bat of Renegade pinch-hitter Mason Mallard. 

In Friday's rubber game the Cyclones get a run batted in from center fielder Jake Mangum, and two more from shortstop Wilmer Reyes.  Starter Daniel Goggin is roughed up for two runs on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts through 2.2 innings of work.  The bullpen however joins for 6.1 innings of scoreless of five hit ball with just one walk and nine strikeouts.  Matt Mullenbach pitches the final two innings in earning his third save of the season.

*         *         *

The McNamara Division race remains tight as a tourniquet.  By virtue of one less loss as of close of business Saturday the Cyclones maintain a precarious hold on first place over the Hudson Valley Renegades whom trail by just one-half game.  The Aberdeen Ironbirds are one game out.  And a mere 3.5 games is all that separate the last place Staten Island Yankees from Brooklyn.