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 Win Third Straight at Winston-Salem

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

Look What the Cyclones Did to the Dash, Again

Brooklyn opened with three runs in the first inning, and starter Dominic Hamel 

made it stand.  Designated hitter Carlos Rincon doubled home two runs and scored on Stanley Consuegra's single to left field.  Afterwhich, Hamel limited the Dash to four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts through the seventh.  

Hamel faced 25 batters, throwing 97 pitches with 64 (65.9%) going for strikes.  Making his eleventh start with Brooklyn, he improved to 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA.  

The Cyclones added late insurance.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton and Matt Rudick 

knocked home a run in the eighth, and Stanley Consuegra capped off the scoring with an RBI single in the ninth.  

Right-hander Sammy Tavarez yielded no hits and one walk with two strikeouts over the final two innings to preserve the shutout.

That makes three straight wins against Winston-Salem and 13 in their last 15 games.  Hudson Valley shut out the Blue Rocks at Wilmington to remain 1.5 games behind the Cyclones, who now own a magic number of two with three games left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Power Up Against Winston-Salem

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

II - BKN 5; WSD 2

Brooklyn's Magic Number is Three, With Four to Play

The Brooklyn Cyclones remain in control of their destiny.  They took a second straight contest from the Dash on Wednesday and are now winners of 12 of their last 14 games and lead all SAL teams with a second-half 38-24 (.613) record.  Meanwhile, the Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the Blue Rocks at Wilmington to stay within 1.5 games of the Cyclones, with four games left to play.

Winston-Salem took an early lead, manufacturing two runs on three hits off starter Luis Moreno in the first.  But they would score no more.  Moreno limited the Dash to four hits and one walk with five strikeouts over seven innings.  He exited on the winning side thanks to Coney Island's five-run outburst in the third.  

Left fielder Matt Rudick kicked things off with a clutch two-out run-scoring triple, then scored on an Alex Ramirez double to center.  First baseman JT Schwartz drove in Ramirez with a home run to right field, and Jose Peroza went back-to-back with his eighth home run this season.

Right-hander Franklin Sanchez struck out the side in the eighth, and Dylan Hall earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.  BOXSCORE

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Over 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

IV - WIL 1; BKN 0

V - BKN 2; WIL 1

VI - BKN 11; WIL 5

Look Who's Number One!

The Cyclones provided fans with one last regular-season thrill on Coney Island.  They scored early, often, and late in a rout of the Wilmington Blue Rocks.  

With three runs in the first and six in the third, starter Mike Vasil was pulled after allowing no runs, no hits, and no walks, with two strikeouts.  Right-hander Junior Santos pitched the next three innings, allowing an unearned run on three hits and no walks with three strikeouts to earn his eighth win.  However, the bullpen suffered a minor implosion, allowing four runs in the ninth inning before Dylan Hall was called upon to secure the final out.  

Replacing Matt Rudick in left field, Justin Guerrera capped off the scoring for Brooklyn with a two-run home run in the eighth.  Right fielder Stanley Consuegra and William Lugo also drove home two runs apiece.  

Brooklyn takes the series from Wilmington four games to two.  They now own the SAL's top second-half record with a 36-24 (.600) mark.  Coupled with Jersey Shore's victory at Dutchess Stadium, the Clones head to Winston-Salem with a half-game division lead ahead of the Renegades with six games left to play.  Hudson Valley must now travel to Wilmington while Brooklyn visits the Dash.  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 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 Win Third Straight 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

Nolan Clenney Slows Jersey Shore's Roll 

Brooklyn won a much-needed third straight game against Jersey Shore.  They got no help from the Hickory Crawdads.  Thus Hudson Valley remains a one-half game ahead of the Cyclones, who now own second place to themselves, as the Aberdeen Ironbirds bowed to Wilmington.

The Cyclones opened with a four-run second inning.  First baseman JT Schwartz homered, and 

Shervyen Newton, Matt Rudick, and the Mets' Eduardo Escobar each drove in runs.  The 'Clones scored again on an error in the third, and Jose Peroza singled home a run in the top of the fourth to give Coney Island a 6-0 lead.  Jersey Shore countered with three in the home fourth and one in the fifth.  Afterwhich, the teams traded single runs in the sixth, staking Brooklyn to a 7-5 lead.  

Shortstop Shervyen Newton continues to be the big man on campus, hitting his third home run in as many games in the eighth; it was his seventh with Brooklyn and his eleventh overall.  

Making his third start, Christian Scott escaped with a no-decision after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings.  Right-hander Franklin Sanchez gained the victory despite allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in 2.1 innings pitched.  

The real hero of the game was Nolan Clenney, who yielded three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over the final three innings for the save.  BOXSCORE

• Rehabbing from a strained oblique, New York Mets infielder Eduardo Escobar started at shortstop and finished 2 for 4 at the plate, with one run batted in and one run scored.

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.

Hudson Valley Renegades Shut Out Brooklyn Cyclones

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

Down Goes Brooklyn..!

A crowd of 5,050 suffered not one but two punches to the gut.  Saturday's starting pitchers, Richard Fitts and Brooklyn's Luis Moreno traded goose eggs through the fifth.  In the top of the sixth, Renegade catcher Carlos Navarez clubbed a three-run home run to left, knocking Moreno out of the game.  With one out and one runner on base in the eighth, right fielder Grant Richardson homered off Sammy Tavarez for a 5-0 Renegade lead.  Left fielder Matt Rudick scored on a double-play ball in the home eighth, but it went for naught.  

The pendulum now swings back in Hudson Valley's favor.  They take a half-game lead ahead of the Cyclones in the North Division standings.  These teams meet for the last time this regular season on Sunday.  Afterwhich, the Cyclones will have 18 games left to play.  Meanwhile, the Aberdeen Ironbirds end Saturday's action just 1.5 games out of first place.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Defeat Hudson Valley in Walk-Off Fashion

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

Baby Bums Take Down Evil Empire Plebs in Coney Island Thriller

With twenty games left in the season, playoff fever has gripped Coney Island.  A crowd of upwards of 3,600 were treated to a ninth-inning thriller.  However, through the first eight frames, a lot of nail-biting was going on.

Left fielder Matt Rudick scored on a fielder's choice in the first inning, and Jaylen Palmer homered in the second to give the Cyclones a 2-0 lead.  But it would not last.  Hudson Valley designated hitter Spencer Henson tied the game with a two-run double in the third.

The score then remained unchanged through the eighth.  Both starting pitchers exited to a no-decision.  Brooklyn's Christian Scott allowed two runs on one hit and three walks with five strikeouts in 2.2 innings.  Right-hander Trey McLoughlin followed with 4.1 scoreless innings of two-hit ball with five strikeouts, and Daison Acosta followed with a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.

Matt Rudick singled to left field with one out and runners on first and second in the home ninth, scoring Jaylen Palmer from second with the winning run.

Brooklyn once again leapfrogs into first place ahead of the Renegades.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Retake First Place With Victory Over Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - HVR 7; BKN 4

II - BKN 7; HVR 5

Coney Island Strikes Back!

The Cyclones set the tone of this game with a three-run second inning.  With one out and the bases loaded, Matt O'Neill singled home a run, shortstop Shervyen Newton drew a walk to force home a second run, and Jaylen Palmer scored on Matt Rudick's sac-fly to center.  The teams traded runs in the third inning.  Third baseman Tyler Hardman homered for Hudson Valley, and William Lugo drove in a run for Brooklyn.  Second baseman Jose Peroza then singled home a run in the fifth, and William Logo homered off the left field scoreboard in the seventh.

Jose Peroza and William Lugo joined together for six hits in eight at-bats, with two extra-base hits, three runs batted in, and three runs scored.

Making a spot start in only his second appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Jeffrey Colon allowed a run (home run) on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings.  Right-hander Nolan Clenney followed with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with two strikeouts.  Making his third appearance with Brooklyn, southpaw Keyshawn Askew hurled three scoreless innings through the eighth but encountered trouble, yielding three runs in the ninth.  Afterwhich, Daison Acosta was called upon to close out the frame.  Another base runner crossed home, making it a 7-5 Cyclone lead.  Acosta then put the tying run on base with a walk.  Finally, at 9:57 pm, Daison Acosta struck out designated hitter Spencer Henson to end the game.  Nolan Clenney gets the win.  BOXSCORE

With the victory, the Cyclones retake first place by one half-game over the Hudson Valley Renegades.  

Brooklyn Cyclones Undone By Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - HVR 7; BKN 4

Hudson Valley Slams the Brakes on Brooklyn; Seize First Place

The North Division showdown is on!  However, the opening fray did not go the Cyclones' way.  After jumping out to a 4-0 lead with pairs of runs in the third and fourth innings, Brooklyn's bats suddenly went silent.  They generated just two hits over the final five frames.  Meanwhile, Hudson Valley erupted for five decisive runs in the top of the fifth, then sealed the deal with two more in the eighth for a 7-4 game one victory.  The Renegades now enter Wednesday's game with a half-game lead over the Cyclones.

Left fielder Matt Rudick went 3 for 5, and shortstop Shervyen Newton finished 2 for 4 with a run batted in and one run scored.  

Right-hander Dominic Hamel sustained his first loss since joining the Cyclones, allowing five earned runs on five hits and five walks with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched.  The Renegades tacked on two runs against right-hander Dylan Hall in the eighth.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Pressure-Packed Thriller at Wilmington

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*

IV - WIL 7; BKN 1

V - WIL 4; BKN 2

VI - BKN 6; WIL 5

Cyclones Stage Ninth-Inning Comeback; Retake First Place

The Brooklyn Cyclones kicked up their playoff chase another notch.  Trailing 4-5 entering the top of the ninth at Frawley Stadium, right fielder Matt Rudick picked an excellent time to hit his second home run this season - a two-run home run to straightaway center field.  Right-hander Daison Acosta hurled a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to close the victory and earn his third win.  After two scoreless frames, Brooklyn opened the scoring.  With two outs in the top of the third, center fielder Alex Ramirez singled home two runs.  In the home half, however, Gregory Guerrero's second-base error jump-started a four-run rally, all unearned.  The Cyclones were quick to answer with two in the fourth on hits by Jaylen Palmer and Rudick.  But Wilmington again seized the lead with a run in the fifth.  Afterwhich, the score remained unchanged until Matt Rudick stepped to the plate in the ninth.  Relievers Oscar Rojas, Nolan Clenney, and Acosta held the Blue Rocks scoreless through the final five innings.  Brooklyn salvages a series split with Wilmington.  Moreover, they lead the SAL North division by one-half game over the Hudson Valley Renegades, who lost Sunday against the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Go Down Quietly in Wilmington

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*

IV - WIL 7; BKN 1

Junior Santos Gets Knocked Around; Blue Rocks Even Series

The Cyclones were limited to just four hits in Friday's contest, two of which came in the third inning when William Lugo and Alex Ramirez generated Brooklyn's lone run of the game.  Left fielder Matt Rudick and Shervyen Newton accounted for the 'Clones only other hits.  The lineup drew for walks and fanned eleven times.  Starter Junior Santos was knocked around for five runs on ten hits, including a two-run home run in the sixth, and Justin Courtney fared no better, allowing two runs on a hit and three walks in 1.1 innings.  However, the Cyclones maintain their first-place standing as the Aberdeen Ironbirds blanked the Hudson Valley Renegades ten to zero.

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.

Winston-Salem Dash Salvages Split Against Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Winston-Salem vs. Brooklyn

I - WSD 4; BKN 2

II - WSD 8; BKN 0

III - BKN 5; WSD 1

IV - BKN 2; WSD 0

V - BKN 3; WSD 1

VI - WSD 5; BKN 2

Winston-Salem Dash Salvage Finale For Series Split

With single runs in the final three frames, Winston-Salem held on to win Sunday's finale and salvage a split of their first-ever series on Coney Island.  The Dash scored against five of six Cyclone pitchers faced.  Only Justin Courtney kept Winston-Salem off the board with 1.1 scoreless innings.  Starter Luis Moreno allowed one run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in a brief three-inning outing for the loss.  Brooklyn drew five walks, mustered six hits, but left ten runners on base and batted 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position.  Left fielder Matt Rudick hit a solo home run in the eighth, his third this season.  Brooklyn presently leads the Hudson Valley Renegades by one-half game in the North Division standings with thirty games left on their schedule.

Brooklyn Cyclones Shut Out the Greensboro Grasshoppers

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Greensboro vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 6; GRB 5

II - BKN 9; GRB 0

Cyclone Pitchers Join Together on Four-Hit Shutout

The hits were plentiful, and the pitching was superb as the Brooklyn Cyclones won their second straight game in their first-ever series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Right fielder Stanley Consuegra doubled home Brooklyn's first run in the third inning, and the pitching made it stand.  Making his ninth start and fifteenth appearance, right-hander Garrison Bryant allowed no runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings for the win.  He faced twenty batters, throwing 83 pitches with 52 (62.6%) going for strikes.  Garrison improved to 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA.  Right-hander Daison Acosta closed out the game allowing one hit and one walk in three scoreless innings for his second save.

Left fielder Matt Rudick knocked home a run in the fifth, Nic Gaddis scored on a wild pitch in the sixth, and Consuegra doubled home his second run of the game in the seventh.  The Cyclones then erupted for five runs in the eighth, highlighted by Stanley Consuegra's three-run home run.  Stanley finished the afternoon 4 for 5 with three doubles, a home run, and five runs batted in; Matt Rudick went 2 for 4 with two runs batted in; Shervyen Newton was 3 for 4 with one RBI and three runs scored.

• 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