Brooklyn Cyclones Defeat Wilmington Blue Rocks to Remain in First Place

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

III - BKN 9; WIL 1

Luis Moreno Hurls Gem at Wilmington Blue Rocks

Making his 14th start, Luis Moreno hurled a gem to keep the Cyclones a step ahead in the standings over the Hudson Valley Renegades.  The right-hander faced 23 Wilmington batters while throwing 84 pitches, with 56 (66.6%) going for strikes.  Moreno allowed three hits and no walks with six strikeouts in seven innings pitched for the win.  Right-hander Daison Acosta tossed a scoreless eighth in relief, and Daniel Juarez closed out the ninth despite yielding an unearned run.  Catcher Matt O'Neill was the big man on campus, going 2 for 3 with a walk, three runs batted in, and three runs scored, and first baseman JT Schwartz was 3 for 5 with two runs batted in.

Jersey Shore provided no help, getting shut out by the Renegades.  With nine games left in the regular season, the Cyclones own a precarious half-game lead over the Renegades.

Brooklyn Cyclones Complete Sweep at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4

III - BK 8; JS 5

IV - BK 7; JS 5

V - BK 8; JS 3

VI - BK 18; JS 1

Cyclones Wipe Out Jersey Shore

Brooklyn wrapped up their business at Jersey Shore with a rout of the BlueClaws.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton cleared the bases in the second with a three-run double.  The Cyclones added four in the third on Stanley Consuegra's two-run dinger and runs batted in by Matt O'Neill and Matt Rudick for a seven-run lead.  Third baseman William Lugo followed with a three-run home run in the fourth.  

Afterwhich, the tide went out on the rest of Jersey Shore's pitching.  The Cyclones scored seven times in the fifth inning on three hits, five walks, and a hit-by-pitch, then tacked one more run for good measure in the visitor's ninth.  Lugo was the big man on campus, going 4 for 6 with four runs batted in and four runs scored.  Newton was 3 for 4 with two walks, a double, four runs batted in, and two runs scored, and catcher Matt O'Neill had three runs batted in.

Starter Keyshawn Askew walked the bases loaded in the first inning and, with two outs, was removed from the game.  Into the fray entered Nathan Lavender, who secured out number three.  Lavender continued to hurl three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball with seven strikeouts.  The Blue Claws spoiled the shutout against Jeffrey Colon in the sixth.  Otherwise, Colon allowed three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over the final five innings.  Lavender earned the win, and Colon the save.  Together, Brooklyn limited the BlueClaws to four hits, and three walks, with 17 strikeouts to complete the series sweep at ShoreTown Ballpark.  BOXSCORE

Up at Dutchess County Stadium, the Hickory Crawdads blew a 6-4 lead through the fifth.  Hudson Valley answered with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh en route to a 9-7 win.  The 'Gades retain its half-game lead over the Cyclones with only two series and twelve games left in the season.  The Aberdeen Ironbirds lost at Wilmington to fall 2.5 games back of the Renegades.  If the Renegades or Cyclones win the second-half flag, they will meet the first-half champs from Aberdeen.

Brooklyn Cyclones Outlast Jersey Shore BlueClaws in Extra Innings

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4*

*10 innings

Resilient Cyclones Win in Tenth Inning

The Cyclones and BlueClaws played a barnburner at ShoreTown Ballpark.  

With two outs and two runners on base in the top of the first, right-fielder Stanley Consuegra singled home the game's opening run.  In a presage of things to come, Jersey Shore answered with two runs in the home third.  After a scoreless fourth inning, shortstop Shervyen Newton homered to left field with catcher Matt O'Neill on base.  But Brooklyn's slim lead did not last, as the BlueClaws tallied a run in the home sixth facilitated by a Matt O'Neill throwing error.  

The deadlock then remained unchanged through the eighth.  

Both starting pitchers exited to no decisions.  Brooklyn's Junior Santos allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings.  Jersey Shore southpaw Rafael Marcano yielded three earned runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings.

Cyclone right-hander Dylan Hall delivered 2.1 scoreless innings of no-hit baseball with two strikeouts to complete the eighth.  Two BlueClaw relievers joined in tossing 3.0 innings of one-hit ball with six strikeouts.

Then came the ninth.  Stanley Consuegra homered over the left field wall leading off the visitor's half.  Manager Rivera then summoned from the bullpen right-hander Daison Acosta to close.  But the game was again tied with a leadoff hit, a walk, and two sacrifice plays later.

In the top of the tenth, with Matt O'Neill, the ghost runner at second, Shervyen Newton singled, putting runners on the corners.  O'Neill then scored on Matt Rudick's sac-fly to right, giving Brooklyn a 5-4 lead.

Daison Acosta again climbed the bump.  With the ghost runner on base, Acosta fanned the first batter faced, then issued an intentional walk, followed by an unintentional four-pitch walk that loaded the bases.  Acosta regrouped to strike out the next batter, then ended the game on a groundball 3 to1 putout at first base for the win.

The Cyclones held on for another crucial win.  They've re-achieved par with a 58-58 season record and improved to 28-22 in the second half.  Wednesday night's victory keeps Brooklyn on pace with first-place Hudson Valley, who still lead the division by one-half game, and Aberdeen, who again defeated Wilmington to remain tied in second place with Coney Island.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win First-Ever Series Against Greensboro Grasshoppers

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Greensboro vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 6; GRB 5

II - BKN 9; GRB 0

III - GRB 6; BKN 5

IV - GRB 2; BKN 1

V - BKN 6; GRB 2

VI - BKN 5; GRB 1

Consuegra Powers Cyclones; Pitching Takes Care of the Rest

Strong pitching continues defining Brooklyn's second half.  Sunday's performance again proved decisive in their contest versus Greensboro, against whom they won the first-ever series between teams, four games against two.

Making his fifteenth start this season for Brooklyn, Junior Santos allowed one earned run on just three hits and one walk with five strikeouts in six innings for the win.  Making a rare relief appearance, standout left-hander Nick Zwack yielded a lone hit and one walk with five strikeouts in three scoreless innings for his first save.

After three scoreless innings, left fielder and New York City native Jaylen Palmer delivered home Brooklyn's first two runs in the fourth.  When the Grasshoppers pushed a run across in the visitor's fourth, center fielder Stanley Consuegra answered with a homer in the home half of the frame.  In the seventh, right fielder Alex Ramirez singled home Consuegra, and with the bases loaded, catcher Matt O'Neill drew a walk forcing home Alex Ramirez from third.  Stanley Consuegra finished 3 for 5 with a double, home run, a run batted in, and two runs scored.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Fizzle on the Fourth Against Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Aberdeen vs. Coney Island

I - ABD 3; BKN 1

No Fireworks From Cyclones Lineup

Plenty of hot dogs were served at Nathan's Original earlier in the afternoon but hardly a hit to be mustered just a few hundred feet away at the Surf Avenue ballpark.

Brooklyn starter Junior Santos allowed single runs in the first and seventh innings on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in a tough-luck loss.  Aberdeen scored once more against reliever Brendan Hardy in the eighth, and Sammy Tavarez struck out the side in the ninth.

In the fourth inning, Nic Gaddis drew a one-out walk and eventually scored on a wild pitch.  Otherwise, the Cyclones managed just three hits by JT Schwartz, Matt O'Neill, and Jose Peroza.  They drew seven walks but left ten runners on base and were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

Brooklyn Cyclones Claw Back at Hudson Valley Renegades

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

Cyclone Twirlers Best Hudson Valley Hurlers

Hudson Valley right-hander Blas Castano retired 15 of his first 16 batters faced.  The only Cyclone to reach base through the first five innings was due to a hit-by-pitch.  Otherwise, Castano allowed no runs on no hits and no walks with four strikeouts.

Brooklyn southpaw Nick Zwack effectively matched his counterpart pitch for pitch.  Zwack likewise allowed no runs on just one hit and two walks with five strikeouts through the fifth.

Center fielder Jaylen Palmer led off the sixth inning against Blas Castano with a home run to left field.  After Castano issued a walk to Matt O'Neill and plunked Mike Rudick with a pitch, Shervyen Newton 

tripled home both runners, then scored himself on a JT Schwartz base hit to left, and just like that, the Cyclones owned a 4-0 lead.

The Renegades were recipients of Cyclone reliever Sammy Tavarez's generosity, who walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, then proceeded to walk his fourth batter to force home a run

and spoil the shutout.

With two more runs in the top of the ninth, the Cyclones clinched their first win of the series by a final score of six to one.

Right-hander Grant Hartwig closed out the game with a four-out save.  

Nick Zwack yielded no runs on one hit and three walks with six strikeouts in six innings for the win.  He improved to 2-1 with a 1.58 ERA through nine starts, and 40.0 innings pitched since his promotion from St. Lucie.

Meanwhile, Hudson Valley's Blas Castano, who started brilliantly, takes the loss.  Boxscore

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 at Coney Island Wipes Out Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE OF THE BEACHES

Jersey Shore vs. Coney Island

I - BK 4; JS 3

Cyclones Usher in the Summer Season With a Late-Inning Thriller at Coney Island 

Facing right-hander Carson Seymore, Jersey Shore tallied twice in the first and pushed across another in the fourth.  Seymore was removed after allowing six hits, including a first-inning home run, and striking out four batters in four innings pitched.  Right-hander Daison Acosta entered in relief and pitched superbly, holding the Blue Claws scoreless on just one hit and one walk over the final five innings.

Still trailing 3-0 entering the home eighth, designated hitter Tanner Murphy led off with a home run, and Nic Gaddis doubled home JT Schwartz to bring the Cyclones within one.

After Daison Acosta retired the Blue Claws in order in the visitor's ninth, center fielder Jaylen Palmer 

lined a leadoff single to center, and catcher Matt O'Neill walked.  Both runners advanced on Tanner Murphy's long fly to right field.  The Blue Claws then made a pitching change bringing in southpaw J.P. Woodward, who promptly unleashed a wild pitch allowing Palmer to score the tying run.  Matt O'Neill advanced to third on the play and scored the winning run on Matt Rudick's fly to left field.

Making his fifth start for Brooklyn, Carson Seymore escaped with a no-decision.  Meanwhile, hard-luck Daison Acosta might have put forth his best effort this season.  He faced 17 batters while throwing 67 pitches, with 47 (70.1%) going for strikes.  Acosta entered the game with 34 hits allowed, a 7.0 W/9, and an unsightly 9.29 ERA through eleven appearances and 31.0 innings pitched, but this outing did well to turn that all around and earn his first win of the season.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Sizzle in Ninety-Degree Day at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

BK 10; JS 4

Cyclones Mid-Game Eruption Wipes Out Jersey Shore

Making his fourth start since being promoted from St. Lucie, southpaw Nick Zwack faced 14 batters while throwing 58 pitches, with 44 (75.8%) going for strikes.  He allowed two earned runs on four hits and no walks, with four strikeouts through three innings pitched.

Jersey Shore jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first, then tacked on a run in the fourth inning against Oscar Rojas, pitching in relief of Zwack.  

With one out and the bases jammed in the visitor's fifth, catcher Matt O'Neill sent everyone home with a triple to center field and then scored on a JT Schwartz base hit.

The Blue Claws pitched themselves into a world of trouble in the fifth.  Brooklyn loaded the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton was hit by a pitch forcing home a run, and Matt O'Neill drew another walk, forcing home another run.  With two outs, JT Schwartz cleared the bases with a triple to center and scored on an errant throw by the shortstop.

Oscar Rojas yielded one unearned run on four hits, no walks with eight strikeouts over five innings for the win, and Hunter Parsons surrendered a run while closing out the ninth.

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 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 Withstand Late Wilmington Rally for the Win

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn; 1-1

I - WIL 12; BKN 5

II - BKN 5; WIL 4

Hunter Parsons Earns Well Deserved Win in Relief; Cyclones Even Series With Blue Rocks

Up from St. Lucie and making his second start for Brooklyn, southpaw Nick Zwack exited on the winning side of a 4-2 game, allowing two runs on two hits, including a home run and one walk, with three strikeouts over four innings pitched.

The Cyclones opened the first inning with three consecutive extra-base hits.  Left fielder Rowdey Jordan led off with a double.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton followed with another two-bagger, scoring Jordan.  Catcher Matt O'Neill then tripled home Newton and scored on JT Schwartz's grounder to second for a 3-0 Brooklyn lead.

Designated hitter Nic Gaddis doubled home JT Schwartz in the third, and with the bases loaded in the fifth, Wilmer Reyes' sac-fly to center scored Schwartz giving the Cyclones a 5-2 lead.

Afterwhich, it was a matter of holding on.  The score remained unchanged through the eighth.  Facing right-hander Justin Courtney in the ninth, the Blue Rocks rallied for two runs on four hits, two for extra bases.  With two outs and the tying run on second base, Courtney struck out Yasel Antuna to end the game.

Right-hander Hunter Parsons threw three scoreless innings in relief of Nick Zwack to earn the victory, and Antuna got the save.

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 Get "Rowdey" at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Hudson Valley; 2-2

I - HVR 5; BKN 3

II - BKN 4; HVR 3

III - HVR 5; BKN 1

IV - BKN 6; HVR 4

Coney Island Evens Series With Fishkill Nine

After back-to-back games of ridiculously high double-digit strikeouts, then getting two-hit on Thursday, the Cyclones account for themselves quite well to even the series at two on Friday at Dutchess Stadium.

Designated hitter Rowdey Jordan was the big man on campus, going 3 for 4, with two doubles, two runs scored, and three runs batted in.  Catcher Matt O'Neill reached base on a triple and two walks and scored three times.  First baseman JT Schwartz and third sacker Nic Gaddis drove in one run.

Starter Jose Chacin escaped with a no-decision after allowing two unearned runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 3.2 innings pitched.  Right-hander Oscar Rojas was the bullpen hero, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over the game's final five innings for the win.

  

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