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 Lose Third Straight At Home Against Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 3-0

I - HVR 5; BRK 0

II - HVR 3; BRK 2

III - HVR 5; BRK 3

Everything Was Fine Until It Wasn't

They had a nice pitcher's duel going at Coney Island.  Right-hander Anderson Munoz for Hudson Valley and Justin Lasko for Brooklyn open the game with four scoreless frames.  Then with two on and two outs in the fifth, right fielder Joe Suozzi triples home a pair of runs for Brooklyn.

Great!

But it does not last.  Lasko yields three runs, and Josh Hejka surrenders one during a four-run third inning for the Renegades from which the Cyclones do not recover.  First baseman Jeremy Vasquez 

doubles home Ronny Mauricio in the bottom half to the frame, but Hudson Valley puts the game out of reach with an insurance run in the eighth, 

... and that's that.

Brooklyn strikes out 15 times while drawing just three walks.  If Cody Bohanek wears the golden sombrero with three strikeouts, then center fielder Jaylen Palmer wears the platinum with four.

The Renegades win their third straight at Coney Island.

Brooklyn Cyclones Split Twin Bill at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

CONEY ISLAND vs. JERSEY SHORE; 2-2

I - BK 14; JS 5

II - JS 3; BK 1

III - BK 4; JS 0

IV - JS 3; BK 0

Back on the field after Thursday's rainout, the Cyclones and Blue Claws on Friday evening played two at Jersey Shore.

GAME ONE - Making his tenth start for Brooklyn, right-hander Justin Lasko yields five hits (all singles) and three walks with seven strikeouts over 5.2 scoreless innings pitched for the win.  He faces 23 batters while throwing 95 pitches, with 54 (56.8%) going for strikes.  Right-hander Bryce Montes de Oca continues with 1.1 scoreless innings to complete the shutout.  He allows just one hit and strikes out three to earn his fourth save.  Catcher Francisco Alvarez doubles in the fourth and scores on Zach Ashford's base hit.  In the fifth, LT Struble draws a leadoff walk and eventually scores on a ground ball double-play.  Afterwhich,  Ronny Mauricio connects for his 14th home run this season.  LT Struble again leads off the seventh with a walk, steals second, and scores giving the Cyclones a 4-0 final margin of victory, their eighth in their last nine games. 

GAME TWO - Making only his second start for Brooklyn, 22-year old J.T. Ginn toes the slab and is opposed by Ethan Lindow for the Blue Claws.  Right fielder Jhailyn Ortiz opens the scoring when he tags up from third on a sacrifice fly in the second.  Shortstop Jonathan Guzman leads off the third with a double and scores, and catcher Vito Friscia drives home another giving the Blue Claws a 3-1 lead after the third.  Ethan Lindow sets down Brooklyn in order in the fifth while limiting them to just two hits.  J.T. Ginn also negotiates a scoreless fifth, inducing an inning-ending 5-4-3 double-play.  With only six outs left in the contest, the Cyclones manage just two hits in the ninth, which go for naught when Luis Gonzalez bounces into a rally-killing 5-4-3 double-play.  J.T. Ginn takes the loss upon yielding three runs (two earned) on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts.  Ethan Lindow goes the distance, allowing just four hits and no walks with seven strikeouts for the win.

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Third Straight From Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN leads WILMINGTON; 3-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

II - BRK 5; WIL 3

III - BRK 10; WIL 2

Antoine Duplantis Remains Red Hot; Justin Lasko Hurls Gem Through First Seven Innings

Brooklyn scores early, often, and late en route to a third straight victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks.  The Cyclones erupt for 17 hits, with six going for extra-bases, including three of the four-base variety.  Starter Justin Lasko and Colby Morris take care of the rest.

Center fielder Antoine Duplantis spearheads Brooklyn's attack going 4 for 5 with a home run and three runs batted in.  Second baseman Luis Gonzalez goes 4 for 4 with a double and three runs scored.  Third baseman Cody Bohanek and shortstop Ronny Mauricio each hit solo home runs.

Justin Lasko surrenders just two hits in a fine performance and two walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings pitched for the win.  Reliever Colby Morris fails to protect the shutout, yielding two runs in the eighth.  

For shortstop Ronny Mauricio, his eleventh home run this season.

Brooklyn Cyclone Hurlers Subdue Jersey Shore Blue Claws; Take Series Lead, 3-2

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Jersey Shore; 3-2

I - BRK 1; JS 0

II - JS 3; BRK 2

III - JS 13; BRK 3

IV - BRK 6; JS 1

V - BRK 6; JS 1

Brooklyn Four-Hits Jersey Shore; Take Series Lead Over Blue Claws

With three runs in the third, three more in the sixth, and behind the pitching of Justin Lasko, the Cyclones take their second straight from Jersey Shore and seize a 3-2 series lead.

In the third inning, with one out and the bases jammed, Jeremy Vasquez clears the bases with a double into center field for a 3-0 Brooklyn lead.  Then with two outs and two runners in scoring position in the sixth, Ronny Mauricio clears the bases with his tenth home run this season.

Jersey Shore spoils the shutout in the eighth.  Otherwise, Justin Lasko allows no runs on just three hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over six innings pitched for the win.  He faces 21 batters while throwing 81 pitches, with 55 (67.9%) going for strikes.  Right-hander Willy Taveras throws a scoreless seventh, and Josh Hejka closes things out with two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Brooklyn Cyclones Humbled and Held Hitless at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 5-0

I - HVR 9; BRK 7

II - HVR 3; BRK 2

III - HVR 6; BRK 4

IV - HVR 7; BRK 1

V - HVR 5; BRK 0*

*7 inning no-hitter

I'm as short for words as the Cyclones were for hits Saturday against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

BOX GAME ONE - Brooklyn trails 4-0 after the first, then 5-0 through the fifth inning.  The Cyclones tallied their lone run of the game on Luis Gonzalez's home run in the sixth to ruin the shutout.  Hudson Valley scores twice more in the bottom half of the frame en route to a commanding 7-1 victory in game one.  Two Renegades pitchers join together in limiting the Cyclones to just three hits and two walks with ten strikeouts.  Right-hander Mitch Spencer earns the win.  Brooklyn starter Connor Grey surrenders five runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts.  He yields one home run back in Hudson's four-run first.  Shortstop Ronnie Mauricio and Jeremy Vasquez account for Coney Island's only other hits.

BOX GAME TWO - Twenty-six Brooklyn Cyclones step up to the plate.  Five batters draw walks, six different batters strikeout, two of them twice, and not one of them wields a single hit.  Renegades starter Sean Boyle twirls four no-hit/no-run innings, Nick Ernst throws two hitless innings to earn the win in relief of Boyle, and Derek Craft closes out the game with a hitless seventh inning.  Meanwhile, starter Justin Lasko yields five earned runs, including three home runs, five total hits, one walks with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched for the loss.  Southpaw Andrew Edwards records the last two outs of the game.

⚾

• Brooklyn - two games, 51 plate appearances, 44 at-bats, three hits, seven walks, 18 strikeouts.

• According to SNY-TV on Saturday night, the highly touted third baseman Brett Baty is being promoted to the (AA) Binghamton Rumble Ponies. 

Luis Gonzalez started at second base because ...

Just spoke to Cyclones coach Mariano Duncan. Luke Ritter out for about 2 months with broken hemate bone in hand. @BTB_MikeII @JohnMackinAde @ernestdove

— John From Albany (@JohnFromAlbany) July 10, 2021

 

Brooklyn Cyclones Lose Finale to Jersey Shore Blue Claws, Settle For Series Split

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Jersey Shore vs. Coney Island; 3-3

I - JS 7; BK 5

II - BK 3; JS 2

III - JS 3; BK 0

IV - BK 7; JS 2

V - BK 8; JS 5

VI - JS 3; BK 0

Cyclones Get Two-Hit For The Sixth Time This Season

This time I went back and checked.  Sunday's game marks the sixth time the Cyclones have been two-hit by the opposition - three times by the Hudson Valley Renegades, now three times by the Jersey Shore Blue Claws, and the second time this series.  

The Cyclones also fail to win three in a row for the first time this season.

Jersey Shore starter Dominic Pipkin faces 17 batters, allowing no runs on just two hits and no walks with five strikeouts through five innings for the win.  Three members of the bullpen complete the shutout with four innings of no-hit ball, allowing three walks and striking out seven.

Playing first base this game, Cody Bohanek wields both hits for Brooklyn.  The Cyclones strike out twelve times and draw just three walks, and bat 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Brooklyn starter Justin Lasko faces 25 batters, allows three earned runs on eight hits and no walks with six strikeouts in a losing effort.  In relief of Lasko, Mitch Ragan allows no hits and strikes out three over two innings pitched, and Eric Orze yields one hit and strikes out two in a scoreless ninth.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Win First Ever Game at Wilmington, Delaware

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN RETURNS TO WILMINGTON

Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Wilmington Blue Rocks

FROM

Frawley Stadium

The Brooklyn Cyclones make their first-ever visit to Wilmington, Delaware.  Without researching it, the Brooklyn Royal Giants or Brooklyn Dodgers are very likely the last professional baseball team from Brooklyn to visit this Delaware city.

Cyclones Win Series Opener As Brooklyn Makes Triumphant Return to Wilmington

Right-hander Justin Lasko toes the rubber for Brooklyn, opposed by southpaw Alfonso Hernandez for Wilmington.  The two duel to a one-all tie through six.  Wilmington opens the scoring in the second, first baseman Omar Meregildo with the run batted in.  Brooklyn catcher Francisco Alvarez drives home Cody Bohanek in the fourth.

Lasko allows the one run on just three hits and no walks with four strikeouts through six.  Hernandez likewise allows a run on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts through six.  Both exit to a no-decision.  

• BOXSCORE: Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Brooklyn finally breaks through with two runs in the eighth against Zach Brzykcy, pitching in relief of Hernandez.  Cody Bohanek triples home Antoine Duplantis, then scores when Ronny Mauricio bounces into a fielder's choice for a 3-1 lead and the final margin of victory.  

Reliever Brian Metoyer throws two scoreless innings for the win, and Andrew Edwards closes Wilmington in the ninth for the save.  Brzykcy takes the loss.

Cody Bohanek finishes 3 for 3 with a double, triple, a run batted in, and two runs scored.

⚾ 

ICYMI: OTD in Brooklyn vs. Wilmington History.

• OTD Eastern Colored League 6/16/21: Brooklyn Royal Giants defeat Washington Potomacs at Wilmington

William Julius "Judy" Johnson

Hall of Fame 1975

Brooklyn Cyclones Split Twin Bill With Hudson Valley Renegades at Coney Island

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley Renegades

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM
Old Steeplechase Grounds

The rivalry with the Baby Bombers is back on.  These teams have now met eight times with each winning four.

BOX: GAME ONE - After trading early runs, Hudson Valley scores twice in the sixth, but the Cyclones can only muster one.  Renegades starter Jhony Brito allows Brooklyn one run in the second and otherwise yields three hits and no walks with five strikeouts through four innings pitched, but earns a no-decision.  Tanner Myatt earns the win in relief of Brito.  Brooklyn starter Justin Lasko surrenders all three Renegades' runs on four hits (two home runs) and a walk with eight strikeouts through 5.2 innings in a losing effort.  Designated hitter Cody Bohanek homered for Brooklyn in the sixth.  Second baseman Luke Ritter was the only Cyclones with multiple hits.  As such, they were 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.  However, Brooklyn kept their strikeouts under double-digits for one of only a handful of times this season.

BOX: GAME TWO - Coney Island regroups after their game one loss and rebounds from a 3-1 deficit in game two en route to a 5-3 victory and split of Wednesday's doubleheader.  The Renegades jump out to a 3-0 lead in the second, highlighted by a Kyle MacDonald home run.  Coney Island recoups one in the bottom of the frame when Zach Ashford singles home Brett Baty.  The Cyclones then strike for three runs in the fourth.  Catcher Juan Uriarte drives home Ashford, and center fielder Gerson Molina connects for a two-run home run.  Brett Baty supplies some insurance in the seventh with his fifth home run this season.  Starter Hunter Parsons allows three runs on two hits (including a home run) and one walk through only three innings pitched.  Relievers Eric Orze and Bryce Montes de Oca respectively allow no hits and no runs in two innings of work.

Jersey Shore Evens Up Series With Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

WEDNESDAY

Brooklyn         1

Jersey Shore  4

FINAL

After Tuesday's four home run barrage, Jersey Shore hurlers keep the Cyclones bats relatively dormant in game two of their series at Jersey.  

The BlueClaws scored four times in the third, highlighted by a two-run home run from right fielder Jhailyn Ortiz.  All runs are charged to Brooklyn starter Justin Lasko who allows four hits, one walk, and fans three through five innings pitched.

Ronny Mauricio grounds a base hit through the left side in the sixth, delivering Gerson Molina with Brooklyn's first and only run.  The Cyclones lose by a margin of three.  Lasko takes the loss. 

Otherwise, Andrew Edwards gives up just one hit in two scoreless innings, and Michel Otanez twirls a scoreless eighth.  Third baseman Brett Baty (.352) is the lone Cyclone with multiple hits.  Ronny Mauricio now has 17 RBI through 23 games.

• GAME #23 Boxscore: 6/2/2021

Brooklyn continues holding up the five-team North Division with an 8-15 record.  They trail the first place Aberdeen Ironbirds by 8.5 games.  The game also marks only the fifth time this season they do not strike out in double-digits.

So, there's that ...

Brooklyn Cyclones: All Alone in First Place

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Cyclones Sweep Lake Monsters 3-0

I - BKN 2; VER 1*

II - BKN 5; VER 1

III - BKN 9; VER 1

* 10-innings

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

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

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

The Kids from Coney are now winners of five straight.

TUESDAY
Brooklyn Cyclones

vs.

Lowell Spinners

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.