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.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Garrison Bryant's Gem Lifts Brooks to Victory

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

THURSDAY

Lowell      1

Brooklyn  6

FINAL

Brooklyn salvages their series finale against the Lowell Spinners.  But their competitors provide them no help in the standings.  Cyclones starter Garrison Bryant yields just one run on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts through six innings pitched.  He faces 22 batters, and throws 75 pitches with 53 (71%) going for strikes.  Garrison earns his third victory and lowers his ERA to an even 3.00 mark.  Hunter Parsons and Luis Silva join in relief of Bryant on three scoreless innings of one hit ball.  Yoel Romero connects on his third home run of the season. Center fielder Kennie Taylor is 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI.  McNamara Division leader Aberdeen defeats Mahoning Valley to stay 1.5 games ahead of Brooklyn.  Hudson Valley bests Auburn to stay within one game of first.

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