Brooklyn Cyclones Defeat Aberdeen IronBirds in SAL Playoff Opener

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF

Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Brooklyn Cyclones

I - BKN 8; ABD 1

Luis Moreno Hurls a Gem; Surf Avenue Sluggers Club Three Home Runs

For the first time in their respective histories, former New York-Penn League rivals, the Aberdeen Ironbirds, and Brooklyn Cyclones, met in the playoffs as members clubs of the (High-A) South Atlantic League.

Facing right-hander Luis Moreno, Aberdeen right fielder Dylan Beavers led off the game with a triple to right field.  Moreno struck out the next two batters swinging, and the third batter was caught looking.  

Second baseman Jose Peroza singled home the game's first run with two outs in the bottom half of the frame.

Ironbird center fielder Jud Fabian tied the game in the visitor's second with a home run to left.  But designated hitter Joe Suozzi promptly answered with a solo shot to end the frame.  Right fielder Stanley Consuegra then singled home a run in the third for a 3-1 Brooklyn lead.

The rest of the score was underwritten by the Surf Avenue insurance company.  

Left fielder Matt Rudick led off the fifth inning with a home run to right, and with one out and Alex Ramirez on base, Jose Peroza homered over the left/center field wall.  For good measure, Joe Suozzi tripled home a pair of runs in the eighth for an 8-1 margin of victory.

• Center fielder Alex Ramirez finished 3 for 5 with three runs scored, and the Cyclones got two-out RBI from Consuegra, Suozzi, and Peroza.

Making his most crucial professional start to date, Luis Moreno hurled a gem, allowing the lone run on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in six innings for the win.  He faced 23 batters and threw 90 pitches, with 59 (65.5%) going for strikes.  

Right-hander Nolan Clenney yielded no hits over two scoreless innings, and Daison Acosta retired the Ironbirds to close the ninth.

• After making nine appearances with St. Lucie, Luis Moreno posted a 2.92 ERA and 1.091 WHiP in 77.0 innings with Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Cyclones Blank Winston-Salem to Clinch Division Flag

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

II - BKN 5; WSD 2

III - BKN 6; WSD 0

IV - BKN 3; WSD 0

Brooklyn Cyclones Clinch First-Ever South Atlantic League Division Flag

With Brooklyn shutting out the Winston-Salem Dash for a second straight game and the Hudson Valley Renegades bowing to the Blue Rocks at Wilmington, the Cyclones clinched the South Atlantic League North Division second-half flag.

Starter Jeffrey Colon hurled a gem.  Making his third start (sixth appearance) for Brooklyn, the right-hander surrendered a mere three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts for his first win as a Cyclone.  Colon faced 22 batters while throwing an economical 68 pitches, with an effective 69.1% (47) going for strikes.  

Serving as Coney's primary closer down the stretch, Daison Acosta tossed two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with one walk and two strikeouts for his tenth save this season.

Winston-Salem starter Luis Moncada matched Colon pitch for pitch but exited with a no-decision after allowing three hits and no walks with three strikeouts over five scoreless innings.  

Dash reliever Haylen Green pitched into and out of trouble in the sixth.  But things went away for Green in the seventh.  With one out, DH Joe Suozzi homered to left field.  With runners on the corners, Alex Ramirez singled home Shervyen Newton, and Jose Peroza knocked home Matt Rudick, giving the Clones a 3-0 lead and their final margin of victory.

Friday night marks Brooklyn's fourth straight win against the Dash, highlighted by back-to-back shutouts.  The Clones are now winners of six in a row and 14 of their last 16 games and improved to a second-half best 40-24 (.625) record and a 70-60 mark overall.

Two games remain in the regular season.  Afterwhich, the Cyclones will take on the first-half champ Aberdeen Ironbirds in the first-round North Division playoff.

Amazin' Starts Here! #LGM Playoff baseball returns to Coney Island - Can You Dig It?!! https://t.co/VWkE7Qq9DM

— The Metsian Podcast with Sam, Rich and Mike (@THEMetsianPod) September 10, 2022

Brooklyn Cyclones Move Back Into First With Defeat of Wilmington Blue Rocks

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

FRAWLEY STADIUM

Brooklyn vs. Wilmington

I - WIL 9; BKN 3

II - BKN 8; WIL 1

III - BKN 7; WIL 6*

*12 innings

Cyclones Outlast Blue Rocks for Twelve-Inning Win

Brooklyn was required to work overtime, but after a long night at Frawley Stadium, their efforts finally paid off.  

Making his second start with the Cyclones, left-hander Keyshawn Askew was roughed up for four runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts in five innings.  

But Askew's mates got him off the hook.  Wilmington opened with three runs in the second and a single run in the third.  Brooklyn recovered two in the third on a Blue Rocks' error and a sac-fly, and Jaylen Palmer doubled home a run in the fourth to pull the 'Clones within one.  In the fifth, Brooklyn took their first lead of the game on shortstop William Lugo's two-run home run to left field.  

Afterwhich, the score remained unchanged through the eighth.  

With two outs in the home ninth, the Blue Rocks doubled home the game-tying run, and into extra innings, they went.  After a scoreless tenth, the teams traded runs in the eleventh; first baseman Joe Suozzi scored on a fielder's choice, and Wilmington scored on a sac-fly.  In the visitor's twelfth, Stanley Consuegra scored the go-ahead run on Jose Mena's fielder's choice to short.  

Despite blowing a save opportunity in the eleventh, right-hander Daison Acosta hurled a scoreless twelfth inning to earn the win.

Coupled with Hudson Valley's loss to Aberdeen, the Cyclones own a half-game lead over the Renegades in the North Division standings.

BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Even Series With Wilmington Blue Rocks

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

FRAWLEY STADIUM

Brooklyn vs. Wilmington

I - WIL 9; BKN 3

II - BKN 8; WIL 1

Joe Suozzi Causes Rock Slide in Wilmington

Brooklyn bounced back from Tuesday's opening loss to defeat Wilmington and even the series at one.

Second baseman Jose Peroza doubled home a run in the first inning, then reached on a fielder's choice, and scored in the third.  First baseman Joe Suozzi cleared the bases with a grand slam home run to right field as part of a six-run fourth inning, giving the Cyclones an 8-0 lead.  

The Blue Rocks finally manufactured a run in the home fourth to ruin the shutout.  Otherwise, the Blue Rocks were limited to six hits.  

Making his sixth start with Brooklyn, starter Dominic Hamel allowed one run on three hits and no walks with four strikeouts in five innings for the win.  He improved to 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA.  Southpaw Nathan Lavender yielded a hit and fanned a pair in two innings, and fellow left-hander Cam Opp closed things out with two scoreless innings.

Leadoff batter Matt Rudick was 2 for 4 with a double, two walks, and two runs scored.  With seven home runs, Joe Suozzi tied Jaylen Palmer for the team lead.  In his second game with Brooklyn, third baseman William Lugo donned the golden sombrero, going 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.

The win snaps a two-game skid and gets the Cyclones (52-52) back to par.  Hudson Valley defeated Aberdeen to maintain their half-game lead over Brooklyn.  BOXSCORE.

Alex Ramirez Powers Brooklyn Cyclones Over Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Hudson Valley

I - HVR 10; BKN 2

II - BKN 6; HVR 2

III - HVR 5; BKN 2

IV - BKN 5; HVR 1

V - BKN 7; HVR 5

VI - BKN 7; HVR 0

Brooklyn Hurlers Toss Four-Hit Shutout; Cyclones Take Series From Hudson Valley

The Cyclones continued their solid second-half effort with a shutout victory on Sunday to complete the series win over the Renegades at Dutchess County Stadium.  

After being dominated many times earlier this season by Hudson Valley pitching, the Cyclones gave the Renegades a taste of their own medicine.  Making his eighteenth start, Junior Santos limited the hosts to three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in five innings for the win.  Three bullpen members joined together, allowing just one hit and two walks, and struck out eight batters over the final four innings to secure the shutout.

Right fielder Alex Ramirez opened the scoring in the fourth inning with his fourth home run since being promoted to the Cyclones.  Alex Ramirez hit his second home run with a runner on base in the sixth.  Leading off the seventh inning, Jose Mena and Joe Suozzi connected on back-to-back home runs.  Center fielder Jaylen Palmer closed out the scoring with a two-run double in the eighth, giving the Cyclones a 7-0 final margin of victory.

Alex Ramirez turned 19 years old this past January.  Since arriving in Brooklyn, he is batting .300 with five home runs and 19 RBI in twenty games and 80 at-bats.

Brooklyn is now back to par with a 48-48 record.

BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Hold Off Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Hudson Valley

I - HVR 10; BKN 2

II - BKN 6; HVR 2

III - HVR 5; BKN 2

IV - BKN 5; HVR 1

V - BKN 7; HVR 5

Brooklyn Stages Hit Parade In Wappingers Falls; 'Clones Take Series Lead

Brooklyn held on for a second straight victory at Hudson Valley and now own a 3-2 advantage in the series.  Second baseman Rowdey Jordan and Nic Gaddis scored in the first inning.  Jordan then tripled home a pair of runs in the fourth, and Joe Suozzi tripled home a run and scored in the top of the fifth for a 6-0 lead.  Hudson Valley finally caught up with starter Nick Zwack in the bottom half of the frame and cut Brooklyn's lead by half.  After a scoreless sixth and seventh, center fielder Stanley Consuegra 

homered in the eighth, giving the Cyclones a 7-3 lead.  After having pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, Nolan Clenney climbed the mound again in the ninth but this time yielded a two-run home run by left fielder Grant Richardson to pull the Renegades within two.  But Brooklyn would hold them there, as Justin Courtney secured the final out to earn his sixth save.  Southpaw Cam Opp earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Nick Zwack.  Rowdey Jordan finished 3 for 5 with a triple and two runs batted in.  Third baseman Jose Peroza also went 3 for 5 with a double and one run batted in.  Three other Cyclones wielded multiple hits as part of Brooklyn's 14-hit attack.

Brooklyn Cyclones Open Second Half With Series Victory Over Jersey Shore

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

VI - BK 3; JS 2

Cyclones Take Sunday Finale; Bullpen Closes Out Strong Series Performance

Yet another pitching duel unfolded at Coney Island on Sunday afternoon.  

The Blue Claws and Cyclones entered the eighth inning tied at two with only four and three hits, respectively.  Catcher Nic Gaddis doubled home Brooklyn's first run in the opening frame, and JT Schwartz scored on a wild pitch in the fourth.  Jersey Shore recovered with two runs in the fifth.

Brooklyn put the potential go-ahead run at second base with one out in the home eighth but left him stranded.  In the top of the ninth, right fielder Joe Suozzi threw out the potential tying run at the plate to preserve the tie.

In the bottom of the ninth, designated hitter Matt O'Neill singled home Jose Peroza with the winning run.

Making his third start with Brooklyn, Luis Moreno allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in a no-decision effort.

The bullpen once again performed brilliantly.  Right-hander Brendan Hardy allowed no runs and no hits with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings, and Carson Seymour allowed no hits in two scoreless innings pitched.  Both pitchers graduated up from St. Lucie this season.  Brooklyn mainstay Justin Courtney 

threw a scoreless ninth to earn his fourth win this season.

With the victory, the Cyclones win their third straight, take the series from Jersey City five games to one, and begin the second half of the season with a 3-0 record.

Brooklyn Cyclones Late Rally Downs Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 10; JS 4

II - JS 8; BK 5

III - JS 2; BK 1

IV - BK 2; JS 1

V - BK 8; JS 4

Ninth Inning Rally Gives Cyclones 3-2 Series Advantage

Things went wildly wrong for Cyclone starter Mike Vasil in the bottom of the first.  A hit by pitch, two hits, and a balk partly helped stake Jersey Shore to an abrupt 4-0 lead.  

Third baseman Warren Saunders homered for Brooklyn leading off the third, and Jose Mena doubled and scored in the fourth.  Afterwhich, the score remained unchanged through the eighth inning.

Jersey Shore would suffer a fielding and battery implosion in the top of the ninth.  Brooklyn scored six runs, five of which were unearned.  Two fielding errors, a catcher's interference call, and a passed ball aided the cause.  Shortstop Branden Fryman and Joe Suozzi each tripled in the inning.  Suozzi accounted for three of Brooklyn's five hits and delivered home three runs.

After the first inning, Brooklyn pitching limited the Blue Claws to just one hit the rest of the way.  Mike Vasil recovered and escaped with a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts through five.  Left-hander Nathan Lavender threw two scoreless innings.  Right-hander Grant Hartwig closed out the game with two scoreless frames and five strikeouts for the win.

• boxscore

Brooklyn Cyclones Dismantle Bowling Green Hot Rods

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Bowling Green

I - BK 11; BG 9

II - BG 8; BK 0

III - BG 5; BK 1

IV - BK 20; BG 6

They Did The Mash ...

The Cyclones took out their season-long frustrations Friday night against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

Right fielder Joe Suozzi homered, leading off the first.  After Rowdey Jordan homered leading off the second, Suozzi delivered home two more runs, and Nic Gaddis, in turn, drove home Suozzi for a 5-0 Brooklyn lead.

Bowling Green scored once in the bottom of the third, then rallied for four runs in the fourth, tying the game at five.

Starter Daison Acosta allowed five runs on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts before being relived after the fourth.

Catcher Matt O'Neill homered, leading off the home fifth.  Gaddis again delivered home Suozzi giving the Cyclones a 7-5 lead.  Afterwhich, center fielder Jaylen Palmer connected on a three-run home run.

But the Cyclones were only warming up.  The Brooks posted ten runs in the top of the sixth on six hits and four walks, a hit by pitch, and an error.  With one out, designated hitter Brandon McIlwain homered to left/center with two on.  It was the Cyclones' fifth home run of the game. 

Coney Island cranked out 20 runs on 19 hits, with seven going for extra bases.  They drew six walks and struck out ten times.

Right-hander Brendan Hardy pitched two innings in relief of Acosta for the win and Grant Hartwig 

pitched the final three frames with four strikeouts for the save.

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 Shut Out in Series Finale by Bowling Green

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn splits w/ Bowling Green; 3-3

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

VI - BG 4; BK 0

Cyclones Settle For Series Split With Hot Rods 

When this team consistently gets limited to three hits or less and continually strikes out in double digits, what else is there to ponder?  

This is a continuation of last season.  

Either the definition of prospect development has changed or it's just me being an old curmudgeon.  While the latter may be true, what the Baby Bums are being taught in school is just not cool!

Two of the Cyclones' three hits went for extra bases by JT Schwartz and Joe Suozzi, and catcher Jose Mena accounted for the only other hit.

The overall pitching line looks good, but starter Daison Acosta's line does not, after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts through 3.1 innings pitched.  His record dropped to 0-3 with a whopping 10.61 ERA.  However, three relievers joined in limiting the Hot Rods to one run on just two hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over the final 5.2 innings pitched. 

Brooklyn will next play the Ironbirds at Aberdeen.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Old Rival Takes Series Opener at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 1-0

I - HVR 5; BKN 3

One, Two, Three Strikes; You're Out!

The visiting Cyclones promptly take a 1-0 lead to open the game.  But the Renegades rally for two runs while facing Brooklyn right-hander Daison Acosta in the home half of the first.  

Coney Island answered right back in the second.  With one out, catcher Matt O'Neill reaches on an E5 and advances to third on Joe Suozzi's double down the left field line.  O'Neill scored when left fielder 

Rowdy Jordan bounced into a fielder's choice.  Afterwhich, shortstop Wilmer Reyes singled home Suozzi for a 3-2 Cyclones lead.

But that's when the fun ends for Coney Island.  

Hudson Valley knots the game at three against Daison Acosta in the third.  In fact, both starting pitchers exit with no decisions.  

The Renegades score the go-ahead against losing right-hander Nolan Clenney in the sixth and secure an insurance run in the eighth inning against Colby Morris, who pitched the final two innings for Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, three Hudson Valley relievers join together in limiting Brooklyn to no runs on just three hits and one walk with twelve strikeouts over the final six frames.  Overall, the Cyclones fanned 17 times in 33 at-bats, a rate of 51.5 %, during Tuesday's series opener at Dutchess Stadium.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Fall to Jersey Shore in Regular Season Finale

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

REGULAR-SEASON FINALE

JERSEY SHORE @ BROOKLYN

I - BK 5; JS 2

II - JS 4; BK 3

III - JS 8; BK 6

IV - BK 7; JS 4

V - BK 9; JS 2

VI - JS 3; BK 1

Wait Till Next Year!

That's all, folks.  Brooklyn's first season in High-A is in the books.  

With Sunday's defeat against the Jersey Shore Blue Claws, the Cyclones lost their 70th game this season.  It perhaps fits they should lose a three-hitter, which has been a significant point of contention all season long.

Making his tenth start for Brooklyn, J.T. Ginn allows three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings for the loss.  He finishes at Coney Island with a 3-4 record and 3.38 ERA over 53.1 innings pitched.

The bullpen trio of Luis Montas, Michel Otanez, and Dylan Hill join together for three scoreless innings.

Brooklyn scores their lone run in the sixth.  Designated hitter Joe Suozzi draws a leadoff walk and scored from third on Wilmer Reyes' sac-fly to center field.  Shortstop Branden Fryman accounts for two of Brooklyn's three hits, Wilmer Reyes the other.

Jersey Shore wins the season series against Brooklyn with a 17-13 record.

Despite a club record seventy losses, trust me when I say this was one of the most thrilling seasons at Coney Island.  

BOXSCORE

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Shortstop Ronny Mauricio leads the Cyclones with 100 games played and a team-high 63 runs batted in.
• Center fielder Antoine Duplantis wields a club record of 100 hits.
• Catcher Francisco Alvarez leads the Cyclones with 22 home runs with 24 home runs overall.  The 19-year old phenom finishes his season with Brooklyn slashing .247/.351/.538/.889, with 58 RBI in 279 at-bats.
• Right-hander Alec Kisena strikes out 102 batters in 79.2 innings pitched; 11.5 K/9 average.
• Right-hander Justin Lasko, eleven starts, 2.81 ERA, and 64 strikeouts in 64.0 innings pitched.

Twenty seasons of Brooklyn Cyclones baseball - how sweet it is!

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 Comeback Falls Short; Jersey Shore Takes Game Five

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

 JERSEY SHORE leads CONEY ISLAND; 3-2

I - BK 14; JS 5

II - JS 3; BK 1

III - BK 4; JS 0

IV - JS 3; BK 0

V - JS 4; BK 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Cook Donuts Through Eight; Jersey Shore Evens Series

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

CONEY ISLAND vs. JERSEY SHORE; 1-1

I - BK 14; JS 5

II - JS 3; BK 1

Tide Rolls Out On Coney Island Nine; Jersey Shore Takes Game Two

WINNING STREAK ENDS AT SEVEN

After Tuesday's 14-run onslaught, the Brooklyn Cyclones found themselves beachcombing for runs ... any runs ... one run.  

Brooklyn quite literally stumbled across a run in the very last inning.  With one out, Antoine Duplantis doubles, advances to third, then scored on a balk.  The run brings the Cyclones within two runs of a tie, but there would be no such thing.  Instead, the Jersey Shore experiences a nice breeze as three Cyclone batters whiff to end the game.

A trio of Blue Claw pitchers joins in limiting the Cyclones to one run on eight hits and three walks with 14 strikeouts.  Brooklyn bats just 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position.  The only Cyclone with multiple hits left fielder Joe Suozzi goes 2 for 4 with a triple.

Brooklyn starter Cam Opp can only scratch his head after yielding two unearned runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through 4.2 innings in a losing effort.  Right-hander Josh Hejka surrendered a home run in the seventh to third baseman McCarthy Tatum.

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Season-High Fourth Straight Over Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN leads WILMINGTON; 4-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

II - BRK 5; WIL 3

III - BRK 10; WIL 2

IV - BRK 5; WIL 4

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

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

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

doubles home Brooklyn's fourth run.

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

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

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

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

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

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Starter Connor Grey Falls Two Outs Shy of No-Hitter Against Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Jersey Shore vs. Brooklyn tied; 2-2

I - BRK 1; JS 0

II - JS 3; BRK 2

III - JS 13; BRK 3

IV - BRK 6; JS 1

Coney Island Thriller; Connor Grey Flirts With No-Hitter

Brooklyn's 27-year old right-hander Connor Grey falls two outs short of a masterpiece but hurls a brilliant gem nonetheless.  

Grey yields just two walks and strikes out nine over the first eight innings.  But with one out in the ninth, center fielder Corbin Williams lashes an inside-the-park home run into the right/center field gap spoiling the no-hitter and the shutout.  

His mates provide him with plenty of support.  Left fielder Joe Suozzi connects on a two-run home run in the second.  Afterwhich, Edgardo Fermin,  Ronny Mauricio, Cole Kleszcz, and Joe Genord all drive home runs in a four-run third.

Connor Grey takes care of the rest.  He finishes strong, retiring eight consecutive batters until surrendering a home run.  Grey faces 27 batters, throwing 95 pitches with a very effective 68 (71.5%) going for strikes while averaging 11.7 pitches per inning en route to his first victory this season.  

Manager Blankmeyer brings in Michel Otanez, who secures the final two outs.

Brooklyn ties the series with Jersey Shore at two games apiece.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Go Down Looking; Jersey Shore Evens Series

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore; 1-1

I - BRK 1; JS 0

II - JS 3; BRK 2

Cyclones Blink First; Bullpen Outlasted by Jersey Shore

With isolated storms rumbling through Brooklyn, right-hander Jose Butto takes his turn on the slab and is opposed by Adam Leverett for Jersey Shore.  

The Blue Claws open the scoring in the second inning when second baseman Jonathan Guzman takes Jose Butto deep over the left-field wall. 

Leverett makes an early exit after having surrendered one hit with four strikeouts over two scoreless innings pitched.  Jersey southpaw Jhordany Mezquita enters the game in the third.

With two outs and a base runner at first in the fourth, lightning strikes at Coney Island necessitated a game delay.  At roughly 8:18 pm, play resumes, and Jose Butto closes out the top half of the frame.  In the bottom half, Mezquita completes his second scoreless inning in relief of Leverett. 

Jersey Shore manufactures a run in the top of the fifth for a 2-0 lead.  Meanwhile, Brooklyn remains mired with just one hit courtesy of Ronny Mauricio back in the first inning.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, reliever Hunter Parsons enters the fray.  Jose Butto exits on the losing side after yielding an otherwise effective two earned runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts.  But that's where his mates step in, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth to get Butto off the hook.  Blue Claws' Carlos Francisco is tasked with pitching the seventh.  With one out and one on in the eighth, Andrew Edwards enters the game to relieve Hunter Parsons.  Jersey Shore calls on Carlo Reyes to twirl the bottom of the eighth.  With two outs and a runner in scoring position, left field substitution Joe Suozzi strikes out, and into the ninth inning tied at two, they go.

• BOXSCORE

Each team musters just three hits apiece through the first eight innings.

In the top of the ninth, Andrew Edwards issues the dreaded leadoff base on balls.  With one out, manager Blankmeyer is prompted to bring in Mitch Ragan in relief of Edwards.  The move backfires.  With two outs, left fielder Keaton Greenwalt doubles home the go-ahead run.

Jersey Shore's Carlo Reyes climbs the hill for his second inning of relief.  Third baseman Cody Bohanek greets him with a leadoff single.  Unfortunately, Zach Ashford grounds into fan-crushing a 3-6-3 double-play.  Afterwhich, Joe Genord looks at strike three to end the game.

Andrew Edwards takes the loss; Carlos Reyes, the win.