Brooklyn Cyclones Open Final Series With Victory Over Winston-Salem Dash

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

Better Late Than Never; Cyclones Extend Lead Over Renegades

With Brooklyn making their first-ever visit to Truist Stadium, North Carolina, starter Christian Scott was treated to a rude welcome by the Dash.  After falling behind in the first, Jose Mena singled home JT Schwartz in the top of the second.  But Winston-Salem went ahead again in the bottom half of the frame.  

Despite retiring six of his next seven batters faced, Scott exited after allowing five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings.  

Afterwhich, the bullpen held the Dash scoreless over the final five frames.  Right-hander Trey McGloughlin followed with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball, Nolan Clenney went unscathed through the eighth, and Nathan Lavender hurled a scoreless ninth.

Their efforts were rewarded starting in the seventh when shortstop Shervyen Newton and Matt Rudick delivered home a pair, Stanley Consuegra doubled home a run in the eighth, and Newton smashed a two-run home run in the ninth - his eighth this season.

Brooklyn wins their third consecutive game.  Coupled with Hudson Valley's loss against Wilmington, the Cyclones now own a 1.5 game lead ahead of the Renegades with five games left to play.  BOXSCORE

Wilmington Blue Rocks Pound Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

Cyclone Bullpen Suffers Late-Inning Rock Slide

Everything started so marvelously.  Second baseman Jose Peroza singled home Brooklyn's first run, catcher Jose Mena hit a three-run home run to left field, William Lugo followed with a solo shot to center, and the Cyclones were off and running with a 5-0 first-inning lead.  

Wilmington scored once in the third, but Matt Rudick gave Brooklyn a 6-1 lead in the fourth.  

Starter Christian Scott was removed after the fourth, allowing one run on six hits and no walks with six strikeouts.  

Afterwhich, the bullpen suffered a significant implosion.  The Blue Rocks rallied for two runs in the sixth, two in the seventh, and six in the eighth, highlighted by Leandro Emiliani's grand slam.  The Cyclones' only response was William Lugo's RBI single in the seventh.  Right-hander Dylan Hall both suffered a blown save and took the loss.  

But there's good news!  Our Jersey Shore neighbors swept a double-header from our northern rivals at Dutchess County Stadium.  Thanks to the BlueClaws, Brooklyn gained a half-game lead in the standings ahead of the Renegades with only ten left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Gain Share of First Place With Victory Over Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

Bullpen Continues Closing Out Crucial Wins

While rain suspended play up in Hudson Valley, the Cyclones staged another thriller here on Coney Island.  They continued seizing the day with their seventh straight victory.

Facing starter Junior Santos, the visitors from Wilmington tallied an unearned run in the first inning.  Otherwise, Santos was on the mark, allowing no earned runs on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings.  He exited on the winning side after facing 24 batters and throwing 95 pitches, with 63 (66.3%) going for strikes.  

In the fourth, Stanley Consuegra singled home JT Schwartz, and Jose Mena doubled home Consuegra giving Brooklyn a 2-1 lead.

The bullpen made it stand.  In relief of Santos, right-hander Nolan Clenney followed with 2.1 scoreless innings of no-hit ball with no walks and five strikeouts.  Enter Daison Acosta for the ninth.  After striking out the leadoff batter, Acosta yielded three consecutive singles to load the bases.  But Daison regrouped, caught the next batter looking at strike three, then ran the count to 2-2 before striking out the final Blue Rock batter of the game.  Junior Santos earned the win, and Acosta the save, his eighth.

Tuesday's game at Dutchess County Stadium was suspended in the fifth, with Jersey Shore leading the Renegades by a 7-4 margin.  As such, the Cyclones pull into a first-place tie with Hudson Valley with eleven games remaining on the schedule.  BOXSCORE

Hudson Valley Renegades Hand Brooklyn Cyclones Crushing Defeat in Extra Innings

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - HVR 7; BKN 4

II - BKN 7; HVR 5

III - HVR 11; BKN 4

IV - BKN 3; HVR 2

V - HVR 5; BKN 0

VI - HVR 9; BKN 3*

*10-innings

No Joy on Coney Island

This was easily Brooklyn's most crushing defeat against Hudson Valley this season, if not the last two seasons.  The Cyclones got off on the right foot when catcher Jose Mena singled home a run in the second.  Then began the tug-of-war.  Hudson Valley scored twice in the third, but the Cyclones tied the game on Jose Mena's home run in the fourth.  The Renegades quickly reclaimed a 3-2 lead in the fifth.  Second baseman Jose Peroza then singled home the tying run in the seventh.  Afterwhich, the score remained unchanged through the ninth.  After securing the last two outs in the previous inning, Dylan Hall climbed the bump again for the tenth.  Only this time, the rope snapped.  The Renegades scored six times, highlighted by left fielder Aaron Palensky's grand slam home run.  Brooklyn was retired in order in the bottom half of the frame.  The Cyclones now fall into a second-place tie with the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  Both trail the Renegades by 1.5 games in the (second-half) standings with 18 games left in the season.  BOXSCORE

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 Bow to Wilmington Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

FRAWLEY STADIUM

Brooklyn vs. Wilmington

I - WIL 9; BKN 3

Cyclones Can Not Recover From Early Deficit

After a half-hour rain delay, Brooklyn starter Oscar Rojas issued a walk to the first batter he faced, and two doubles later, the Blue Rocks owned a prompt 2-0 lead.  

An error by the shortstop Shervyen Newton in the second inning helped the Rocks to a third run, and Oscar Rojas was dispatched to the showers.  After a scoreless third, Wilmington manufactured a run in the fourth for a 4-0 lead.

Despite wielding ten hits, the Cyclones were held scoreless through the fifth.  Catcher Jose Mena's hit finally got Brooklyn on the board in the sixth.  Brooklyn then appeared to put this game back up for grabs with two runs in the top of the eighth.  Third baseman William Lugo doubled home a run, and Jose Mena delivered home another, cutting Brooklyn's deficit to one.

However, their confidence was quickly shattered in the bottom of the eighth.  The Cyclones suffered a bullpen implosion as right-hander Nolan Clenney surrendered five runs on three hits and three walks to put the game out of reach.

• BOXSCORE

The Cyclones were not without their chances.  They had runners on the corners with one out in the first and stranded them.  Brooklyn loaded the bases with one out in the second, leaving them stranded again.  With two outs in the third and Stanley Consuegra poised at second, the Cyclones failed to come up with a clutch hit.

With Tuesday's loss, the Cyclones' overall record falls back under .500 but, more importantly, they slip to second place in the second-half standings, one-half game behind the Hudson Valley Renegades.

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 Earn Victory in Season's First Game Against Greensboro Grasshoppers

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Greensboro vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 6; GRB 5

Cyclones Outlast Grasshoppers in Coney Island Series Opener

The Cyclones welcomed the Greensboro Grasshoppers to Coney Island for the first time this season and promptly knocked starter Santiago Florez out of the box.  Designated hitter Matt Rudick drew a leadoff walk and scored on a sac-fly in the first.  The Cyclones then scored four times in the second, highlighted by a Jose Peroza home run and extra-base hits off the bats of Jaylen Palmer and Rudick.  Greensboro reliever Domingo Gonzalez was summoned to finish the inning.  With one out in the fourth, catcher Jose Mena connected on his fourth home run this season, giving the Cyclones a 6-0 lead.

Brooklyn southpaw Nick Zwack got off to another superlative start.  He held the Grasshoppers scoreless through the fifth inning.  But Greensboro chased him from the game in the sixth by bunching together three doubles for a pair of runs.  The visitors again tallied twice against Nolan Clenney in the seventh and one more time against Dylan Hall in the eighth to suddenly make it a one-run game.  Brooklyn put two runners on base in the bottom of the eighth but left them stranded.  Right-hander Dylan Hall climbed the hill again for the ninth and caught first baseman Jacob Gonzalez looking at strike three to end the game.  Starter Nick Zwack improves to 4-1 with a 1.58 ERA.  Dylan Hall earned his first save.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Second Straight at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY

I - HVR 5; BKN 2

II - HVR 8; BKN 5

III - BKN 6; HVR 1

IV - BKN 6; HVR 2

Cyclones Even Series With Hudson Valley

Second-half pitching continues propelling the Cyclones forward.

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

Afterwhich, it was a matter of Brooklyn holding on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Outlast Jersey Shore Blue Claws

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE OF THE BEACHES

Jersey Shore vs. Coney Island

I - BK 4; JS 3

II - JS 5; BK 3

III - BK 3; JS 1

IV - BK 2; JS 1

Another Close Call at Coney Island

In yet another tightly contested affair, the Cyclones outlasted the Jersey Shore Blue Claws to seize a second straight victory and a 3-1 series lead.

Leading off the home third, catcher Jose Mena opened the scoring with a home run, his third this season.  Center fielder Jaylen Palmer then singled home Brooklyn's second run in the fourth.  The Cyclones were otherwise limited to five hits but once again made them count.

Brooklyn pitching took care of the rest.

Making his eighth start with Brooklyn, southpaw Nick Zwack yielded no runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts for the win.  He faced 19 batters over five innings, throwing 94 pitches with 63 (67%) for strikes.  

Making only his second appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Nate Jones allowed one run (home run) on four hits and no walks in 2.2 innings pitched, and Sammy Tavarez notched a four-out save, his fifth this season.

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 Power Over Hudson Valley Renegades in Twin Bill Sweep

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

pic.twitter.com/w4jpBAdEor

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) May 21, 2022

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

II - BKN 5; HVR 4

III - HVR 3; BKN 1

IV - HVR 12; BKN 2

V - BKN 5; HVR 4

VI - BKN 3; HVR 1

Bobbleheads and Thrills on Coney Island

It brings me great joy to say on Saturday, I got my Francisco Alvarez bobblehead, and on Sunday, the Cyclones completed a doubleheader sweep of the Renegades.

Brooklyn mounted a five-run lead in game one.  Afterwhich it became a matter of holding on.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton homered in the first inning, third baseman Jose Peroza homered in the second, and New York native Jaylen Palmer connected in the fourth.  Designated hitter  Jose Mena was 1 for 3 with two runs batted in.  Hudson Valley scored twice against starter Junior Santos in the fifth and rallied for two more against Justin Courtney in the sixth.  Making his Brooklyn debut, Grant Hartwig secured the final four outs to earn the save and preserve the victory for Santos.  BOXSCORE

Coney Island gave Hudson Valley a taste of its own medicine in the second tilt.  It's nice to be on the other side of one of these for a change.  Right-hander Nolan Clenney limited the Renegades to one run on just one hit, and no walks with eight strikeouts through the game's first five innings.  He faced 16 batters while throwing 61 pitches, with 43 (70.4%) going for strikes.  Right-hander Hunter Parsons closed out the game with two scoreless innings of no-hit ball for his second save.  Shervyen Newton homered in the fourth, and Jaylen Palmer hit a two-run home run in the fifth.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Series Opener From Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

That's More Like It!

Based on how this series has been playing itself out these last two seasons, I couldn't be happier.  Any victory against the Hudson Valley Renegades with more than three hits and under ten strikeouts makes for a glorious day!  Oh, the joy!

Brooklyn jumped out to an early lead.  Left fielder Rowdey Jordan singled and scored on Shervyen Newton's double to right field in the third inning.  Hudson Valley tied the game in the top half of the fifth.  But Brooklyn rallied for three runs in the home half of the frame.  Center fielder Jaylen Palmer 

homered leading off, and Jose Mena and Matt O'Neill followed with run-scoring doubles for a 4-1 Cyclones lead they would not relinquish.  The Renegades scored twice more in the seventh, but the Brooks secured an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame for a 5-3 lead and the final margin of victory.

Of the Cyclones' seven hits, five went for extra bases.  They drew five walks and fanned "just" seven times.

Making his first start in nine appearances, Nolan Klenney held the Renegades scoreless on three hits and one base on balls with a pair of strikeouts over four innings pitched but walked off to a no-decision.  Right-hander Colby Morris surrendered a home run but earned the win with two innings in relief of Klenney, and Hunter Parsons picked up the save with a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.

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 Slam the Brakes on Hot Rods

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Bowling Green; 3-2

I - BK 5; BG 4

II - BG 4; BK 1

III - BG 7; BK 6

IV - BK 3; BG 1

V - BK 5; BG 2

Cyclones Seize Series Lead Over Hot Rods

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

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Even Series With Bowling Green

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Bowling Green vs. Brooklyn; 2-2

I - BK 5; BG 4

II - BG 4; BK 1

III - BG 7; BK 6

IV - BK 3; BG 1

Cyclones Even Series With Hot Rods; Cam Opp Picks Up Three Inning Save

Bowling Green designated hitter Osleivis Basabe led off the game with a double to left field and scored on Diego Infante's base hit through the left side with one out.

But Brooklyn was quick to respond.  With one out and the bases loaded in the home half of the first, Jose Mena's double to left field gave Brooklyn a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.  They picked up an insurance run when Tanner Murphy doubled leading off the fifth, advanced to third, and scored on a wild pitch.

Starter Oscar Rojas and two relievers posted goose eggs over the game's final eight innings.  Rojas earned the win after allowing the lone run on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.  Right-hander Reyson Santos recorded an out to close out the sixth inning, and southpaw Cam Opp picked up the rare three-inning save.  The three together allowed seven hits and four walks with eight strikeouts.

Cyclones hitters drew six walks this game and batted 8 for 31 (.258) with six extra-base hits but were 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position and continued striking out (eleven) in double-digits.

Coney Island gets back over the .500 mark with a 10-9 record and evens the series with Bowling Green.

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Series Opener From Bowling Green Hot Rods

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Bowling Green; 1-0

I - BK 5; BG 4

Cyclones Stage a Thriller at Coney Island 

Down by a run entering the ninth, Brooklyn rallies for the tying and winning runs to seize their series-opening game against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

The Hots Rods took a prompt 1-0 lead in the first, and the score remained unchanged until the fourth inning.  First baseman JT Schwartz led off the frame with a double and scored on right fielder Brandon McIlwain's triple to left.

However, Bowling Green retook the lead on second baseman Ronny Simon's two-run home run in their next at-bat.

The teams then traded single runs in the sixth.  With two outs and the bases jammed, shortstop Wilmer Reyes singled home JT Schwartz, but Brandon McIlwain was thrown out at home to end the threat.

Brooklyn closed to within one when Rowdey Jordan singled and scored in the seventh on a fielder's choice. 

Then, into the home ninth, they go ...

Leading off, Rowdey Jordan is hit by a pitch; catcher Matt O'Neill reaches on an E6; and JT Schwartz draws a walk to load the bases.  Brandon McIlwain bounces into a fielder's choice; Bowling Green throws out the lead runner at home.  With one out and the bases still loaded, designated hitter Jose Mena singled to left field, scoring O'Neill and Schwartz for the win.

Starter David Griffin escapes with a no-decision, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks with six strikeouts in five innings pitched.  Right-hander Josh Hejka pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention they struck out 15 times.

Let's Go Cyclones!

Brooklyn Cyclones Suffer Crushing Defeat at Hudson Valley as Passive Manager Blankmeyer Looks On

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY; 1-2

I - HVR 3; BRK 2

II - BRK 11; HVR 7

III - HVR 6; BRK 5

Cyclone Skipper Draws a "Blank"

Trailing 5-4 Entering the Home Ninth, 

Hudson Valley Hits Two-Run Walkoff Home Run

In match number three between New York City's rival affiliates, the Renegades serve with single runs in the first and third innings.  Brooklyn return serves with a run in the fifth and four aces in the sixth.  But the Renegades volley with a run in the bottom of the sixth and two more in the seventh, tying the game at five.

Hudson Valley starter Edgar Barclay is knocked out of the box with two outs in the top of the sixth, but not before surrendering four runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Making his fifth start for the Cyclones, J.T. Ginn allows three runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts through six full innings pitched while exiting on the winning side of a 5-3 affair.

Facing Brooklyn's Connor O'Neil in the home seventh, Hudson Valley is helped to a pair of runs.  O'Neil surrenders a leadoff hit, then advances the runner with an errant pickoff attempt.  The Renegades then score on a fielder's choice.  Afterwhich, Connor O'Neil issues four consecutive bases on balls forcing in a second run and tying the game at five.  Manager Blankmeyer finally removes O'Neil in favor of Evy Ruibal, who closes out the seventh without further damage.

Hudson Valley's Charlie Ruegger and Evy Ruibal then pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Leading off the ninth, second baseman Luke Ritter doubles, and Jose Mena singles putting runners on the corners with one out.  Ritter then scores on Antoine Duplantis' fielder's choice to second, but Jose Mena is thrown out at second base on the continuation to end the inning, not before the Cyclones take a 6-5 lead.

Evy Rubial is sent blackout for the home half of the ninth and promptly yields a leadoff single.  That right there usually serves as a red flag, but an unconcerned manager Blankmeyer makes no move.  His ambivalence proves unfortunate, if not costly.  Because the very next batter, designated hitter Anthony Volpe launches a game-winning two-run home run over the left-field wall.

A deflating loss, for sure.  I'm left with little choice but to call manager Ed Blankmeyer on the carpet over this one.  Back in the seventh, Conner O'Neil clearly lacked effectiveness/control and perhaps was left in the game too long.  Insofar as Evy Rubial, he did his job in the seventh and again in the eighth.  Sending him out again for the ninth was already a questionable move.  But blame for not removing Rubial once the leadoff hitter singled safely falls squarely on the manager.

Luke Ritter finishes 2 for 4 with two runs batted in, and with one hit Ronny Mauricio also drives home two runs giving him 52 RBI in 84 games to date.  Third baseman Jose Peroza goes 2 for 4 with a double and one run batted in.

BOXSCORE

Slightest of Mistakes Prove Costly In Brooklyn Cyclones Fourth Consecutive Loss at Wilmington

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN trails WILMINGTON; 4-1

I - BRK 16; WIL5

II - WIL 15; BRK 3

III - WIL 5; BRK 4

IV - WIL 7; BRK 4

V - WIL 1; BRK 0

Taking One For The Team; A Hit By Pitch Leads to the Winning and Only Run of Saturday's Game.

FOR BASEBALL'S BUGS AND CRANKS, AN OTHERWISE OLD-FASHIONED (TEAM-EFFORT) PITCHING DUEL.

BOXSCORE

In a scoreless game and one out in the home sixth, facing Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie, Wilmington center fielder and leadoff batter Armond Upshaw is hit by a pitch.  He steals second and promptly advances to third on an errant throw by catcher Jose Mena.  Upshaw then scores on Jack Dunn's fielder's choice to second base.

Home plate at Frawley Stadium this evening is not to be crossed again.

Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie allows the aforementioned run on just three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.  He faces 22 batters while throwing 87 pitches with 53 (60.9%) going for strikes but unfortunately exits on the losing side of a one-run affair.  Righ-hander Brian Metoyer allows no hits and fans two in 1.1 innings, and Joe Cavallaro closes the game with a scoreless ninth.  All told, Brooklyn pitchers surrender just four hits, no walks, and strike out eight.

Deadlocked at zero, Blue Rock starter Evan Lee exits to a no-decision after working five scoreless innings.  He faces just one batter over the minimum while allowing one hit and no walks with eight strikeouts.  Blue Rock southpaw and game-winning pitcher Alex Troop tosses two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts, after which right-hander Todd Peterson closes the game with two scoreless innings one-hit ball for the save.  

The Cyclones achieve just two hits, draw no walks, fan twelve times, and finish 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.  Right fielder Jaylen Palmer and first baseman Jeremy Vasquez (double) account for Brooklyn's hits.

After Brooklyn's series-opening win, Wilmington has since taken four straight.  However, the Cyclones still own a 10-7 advantage in the season series, including a June six-game sweep of the Blue Rocks.

Bullpen and Clutch Hitting Lift Brooklyn Cyclones To Series Split at Coney Island

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley @ BROOKLYN; 3-3

I - HVR 5; BRK 0

II - HVR 3; BRK 2

III - HVR 5; BRK 3

IV - BRK 9; HVR 6

V - BRK 5; HVR 4

VI - BRK 5; HVR 4

Coney Island Nine Takes Third Straight From Hudson Valley Foes To Salvage Series Split

Playing in misty conditions at cloud-covered Coney Island, the Surf Avenue Sluggers stage a marvelous comeback supported by another exceptional performance by the Cyclones' bullpen.

BOXSCORE

Facing Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie in the third, the Renegades jump out to a 2-0 lead on designated hitter Everson Pereira's two-run home run.  In the bottom of the frame, Zach Ashford singles and would soon score on a wild pitch.

After surrendering back-to-back doubles to open the sixth, Luc Rennie is relieved by Bryce Montes de Oca, who ends Hudson Valley's threat.  However, an error by Brooklyn third baseman Jose Peroza in the seventh leads to an unearned run and a 4-2 Renegade lead.

After the seventh-inning stretch, center fielder Tanner Murphy strokes a leadoff double and scored on Jose Mena's base hit to right field, making it a 2-4 deficit.

First baseman Jeremy Vasquez pulls the Cyclones within one in the eighth with his sixth home run this season.  

Center fielder Antoine Duplantis leads off the home ninth with a single, advances to second, steals third, and scores on Ronny Mauricio's triple to center field tying the game at four.  Then with one out and Mauricio poised at third, designated hitter Francisco Alvarez's sacrifice fly to center field wins the game, as they say, in walk-off fashion.   

Hudson Valley reliever Derek Craft takes the loss.

The lone run against Bryce Montes de Oca was unearned; otherwise, the trio of Bryce, Brian Metoyer, and Colby Morris allow no earned runs on just one hit and one walk with six strikeouts over the final four innings pitched ... just brilliant, allowing the Dem Boardwalk Bums to hit their way back into the game.  Colby Morris earns a well-deserved win on behalf of the bullpen. 

After losing the first three games to Hudson Valley, Brooklyn regroups to seize the last three and salvage a series split.  Although, Hudson Valley still owns a commanding 16-8 advantage in the season series over Brooklyn.

SEASON SERIES:

1. BRK 3; HVR 3
2. HVR 5; BRK 1
3. HVR 5; BRK 1
4. BRK 3; HVR 3