Little Bit of Everything in Brooklyn Cyclones Second Straight Win Over Wilmington Blue Rocks

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN leads WILMINGTON; 2-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

II - BRK 5; WIL 3

Francisco Alvarez Hits Second Three-Run Home Run In As Many Days; Teammates Have Willie Tavares' Back In Win Over Wilmington Blue Rocks

Team Overcomes Several Costly Fielding Errors

After three scoreless innings, the Cyclones breakout with three runs in the fourth.  With Cody Bohanek stationed at second, and Ronny Mauricio trailing at first, Francisco Alvarez launches his second three-run home run in as many days giving Brooklyn a 3-0 lead.

Cody Bohanek and Ronny Mauricio shortly team up again but for the wrong reason.  With two outs in the top of the fifth, errors by Mauricio then Bohanek lead to Wilmington's first run.  After issuing his third walk, manager Blankmeyer removes starter Cam Opp favoring Mitch Ragan, who closes out the Blue Rock's fifth.  Otherwise, making his eighth start, the Cyclone southpaw allows no earned runs on just two hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 4.2 innings while exiting on the winning side of a 3-1 affair.

Mitch Ragan completes a scoreless top half of the sixth.  Ronny Mauricio singles leading off the bottom half, and with Francisco Alvarez at the plate, Wilmington executes a strike-em-out, throw-em-out, double-play.  In turn, Blue Rock starter Alfonso Hernandez completes his sixth inning of work, yielding three runs on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.

Right-hander Willie Tavares enters the game in the seventh for Brooklyn and retires Wilmington in order.  But that's where his luck runs out.  With one out and one on base in the top of the eighth, right fielder Jacob Rhinesmith connects off Tavares for a two-run home run tying the game at three.  However, Wilmington's glee is fleeting, as Brooklyn answers with two runs in the Cyclone eighth; Antoine Duplantis and Cody Bohanek each drive home runs for a 5-3 lead.

Big 6'7", 265 lbs., right-hander Bryce Montes de Oca is tasked by manager Blankmeyer with pitching the ninth inning.  But things do not start well.  An error by Jeremy Vasquez at third and a walk put the tying runs on base.  Out one comes on a pop-up in which the infield fly rule is invoked; the runners stay put.  The next batter strikes out swinging on four pitches.  Afterwhich, Montes de Oca catches the final batter looking at strike three to end the game, preserve the win, and earn his third save this season.  Willie Tavares escapes with the win, Cam Opp a no-decision. 

• BOXSCORE

From the desk: John From Albany 👍

• Right-hander Connor Grey's near no-hitter this past Saturday against Jersey Shore earned him a promotion to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies where he rejoins former Cyclone teammates Brett Baty and Jose Butto.  In another move, Josh Hejka says goodbye to Coney Island and hello to Syracuse. 

STUFF:

• I wish all the recent Coney Island graduates well, as I do all my Brooklyn backyard alumni.  Obviously, as a Mets fan, I like seeing the kids climb the organizational ladder.  However, as a Cyclones fan, I love getting first dibs on these players, and sometimes it's hard seeing them leave.
• Antoine Duplantis is way more competent, and clutch than his .254 average might lead some to believe.
• For 19-year old catcher/DH Francisco Alvarez, home run number nine (w/ BK) with 26 RBI.

Brooklyn Cyclones Lose Finale; Jersey Shore Earns Series Split at Coney Island

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore; 3-3

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

VI - JS 7; BRK 1

Low Tide At Coney Island

Center fielder Antoine Duplantis leads off the Brooklyn first with a double, then scored when Francisco Alvarez grounds into a double play.  However, unbeknownst to them, the Cyclones would not score again.  Jersey Shore twirlers limit Brooklyn to no runs and just six more hits (all singles) the rest of the game.  The Cyclones strike out eleven times in 34 at-bats while drawing four walks.  First baseman  Jeremy Vasquez is the only Cyclone to wield multiple hits.

Making his eleventh start this season, Alec Kisena surrenders four earned runs on four hits, including a home run and two walks with five strikeouts through four innings pitched for the loss, his sixth with an unsightly 5.67 ERA.

Relievers Bryce Montes de Oca, Mitch Ragan, and Colby Morris join together on four scoreless innings allowing no hits and striking out three.  The same cannot be said of Hunter Parsons, who yields three earned runs on three hits in the ninth for Jersey Shore's 7-1 final margin of victory. 

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn and Jersey Shore split the series earning three wins apiece.  With Sunday's gain, the Blue Claws now hold an ever so slim 9-8 advantage in the season series.

Brooklyn Cyclones Go Down Looking; Jersey Shore Evens Series

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore; 1-1

I - BRK 1; JS 0

II - JS 3; BRK 2

Cyclones Blink First; Bullpen Outlasted by Jersey Shore

With isolated storms rumbling through Brooklyn, right-hander Jose Butto takes his turn on the slab and is opposed by Adam Leverett for Jersey Shore.  

The Blue Claws open the scoring in the second inning when second baseman Jonathan Guzman takes Jose Butto deep over the left-field wall. 

Leverett makes an early exit after having surrendered one hit with four strikeouts over two scoreless innings pitched.  Jersey southpaw Jhordany Mezquita enters the game in the third.

With two outs and a base runner at first in the fourth, lightning strikes at Coney Island necessitated a game delay.  At roughly 8:18 pm, play resumes, and Jose Butto closes out the top half of the frame.  In the bottom half, Mezquita completes his second scoreless inning in relief of Leverett. 

Jersey Shore manufactures a run in the top of the fifth for a 2-0 lead.  Meanwhile, Brooklyn remains mired with just one hit courtesy of Ronny Mauricio back in the first inning.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, reliever Hunter Parsons enters the fray.  Jose Butto exits on the losing side after yielding an otherwise effective two earned runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts.  But that's where his mates step in, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth to get Butto off the hook.  Blue Claws' Carlos Francisco is tasked with pitching the seventh.  With one out and one on in the eighth, Andrew Edwards enters the game to relieve Hunter Parsons.  Jersey Shore calls on Carlo Reyes to twirl the bottom of the eighth.  With two outs and a runner in scoring position, left field substitution Joe Suozzi strikes out, and into the ninth inning tied at two, they go.

• BOXSCORE

Each team musters just three hits apiece through the first eight innings.

In the top of the ninth, Andrew Edwards issues the dreaded leadoff base on balls.  With one out, manager Blankmeyer is prompted to bring in Mitch Ragan in relief of Edwards.  The move backfires.  With two outs, left fielder Keaton Greenwalt doubles home the go-ahead run.

Jersey Shore's Carlo Reyes climbs the hill for his second inning of relief.  Third baseman Cody Bohanek greets him with a leadoff single.  Unfortunately, Zach Ashford grounds into fan-crushing a 3-6-3 double-play.  Afterwhich, Joe Genord looks at strike three to end the game.

Andrew Edwards takes the loss; Carlos Reyes, the win.

Brooklyn Cyclones Salvage Series Finale at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley defeats Brooklyn; 5-1

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*

VI - BRK 10; HVR 3

*7 inning no-hitter

Four Home Runs Power Brooklyn Over Hudson Valley; Antoine Duplantis Hits Two

My sarcasm aside, Brooklyn eliminates any chance of a no-hitter and shutout when, with one out in the top of the first, Antoine Duplantis homers to right field against Renegade starter Shawn Semple.  Hudson Valley likewise ruins Alec Kisena's bid for a no-hitter with a base hit in the bottom half of the frame.

Playing in place of injured Luke Ritter, second baseman Luis Gonzalez homers in the second.  Hudson Valley gets one back in the bottom half of the frame.  But then, with two outs in the third, Antoine Duplantis hits his second home run of the game giving the Cyclones a 3-1 lead.

Manager Blankmeyer, perhaps making a proactive change, brings in Josh Hejka in the fifth.  Alec Kisena allows just one run on one hit and five walks, and five strikeouts through four innings pitched.

In the seventh, Adrian Hernandez drives home, Luis Gonzalez, for a 4-1 Brooklyn lead.

Hejka completes his third scoreless inning with a ten-pitch at-bat against second baseman Oliver Dunn. 

Leading off the eighth, first baseman Jeremy Vasquez gives Brooklyn a 5-1 lead with his third home run this season.  Afterwhich, Brooklyn erupts for five more runs.  Catcher Juan Uriarte singles home a run, Antoine Duplantis walks with the bases loaded, Ronny Mauricio is hit by a pitch forcing home another, and Jeremy Vasquez drives home two giving Brooklyn a 10-1 lead.  That is until the Renegades post two runs in the bottom of the eighth against right-hander Evy Ruibal.

Mitch Ragan closes out the game with a scoreless ninth.  Brooklyn pitchers limit the Renegades to four hits, while Josh Hejka earns a well-deserved win.

• BOXSCORE

Coney Island salvages the series finale and avoids a sweep at Hudson Valley.

Faulty Bullpen Short Circuits Brooklyn Cyclones Power Surge at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

GAME ONE

CYCLONES     7

RENEGADES    9

FINAL/BOXSCORE

Home Runs From Brett Baty, Luke Ritter, and Francisco Alverez Negated By Bullpen Meltdown 

Eight total pitchers climb the bump at Hudson Valley Tuesday night.  Only one walks off unscathed, Renegades reliever Derek Craft, who earns his second save this season.

In a rock'em, sock'em affair, the Cyclones trail 5-3 after four but erupted for three runs in the sixth.  However, Hudson Valley gets one back in the bottom of the frame to knot the game at five.

Cyclone starter Jaison Vilera allows five earned runs on eight hits, including three home runs, in only four innings pitched.  He faces 20 batters while throwing 60 pitches, with 36 (60%) going for strikes.  Right-hander Evy Ruibal, in relief of Vilera allows a run on one hit in two innings pitched.  

Renegades starter Josh Maciejewski allows three runs, including a home run off the bat of Francisco Alvarez (7) in the fourth.  Reliever Matt Minnick likewise yields three runs, including home runs by Brett Baty (7) and Luke Ritter (11), both in the sixth.

Brooklyn's Bryce Montes de Oca fails to pitch out of the seventh.  He is relieved by Mitch Ragan but not before surrendering two runs on a hit and three walks in just 0.2 of an inning pitched.  Like his stablemates before him, Ragan fails to keep Hudson Valley from tacking on, surrendering a run on two hits in 1.1 innings pitched.

Joe Genord delivers Francisco Alvarez in the eighth, but the Cyclones would score no more.  Five of Brooklyn's eight hits go for extra bases.  They strike out 13 times, draw four walks, and bat a mere 1 for 10 with runners in scoring positions.

But the bullpen simply does not hold.  On more baseball diamonds than not, three earned runs on three hits and three walks over the final two innings is a losing proposition.

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: Jose Mena Thrills Coney Island Crowd With Game Winning Hit In Tenth

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

GAME TWO
Jersey Shore  2

Coney Island  3

10 innings

Brooklyn Battery Powers Cyclones To Victory In Game Two  

Stellar pitching and Jose Mena's game-winning hit in the eleventh sends the Coney Island crowd home in a delighted state of mind.  Goes to show good things come to those who wait.

Jersey Shore and Brooklyn duel to a scoreless tie through five.  Toeing the rubber for the Blue Claws,  Ethan Lindow yields just four hits and strikes out five.  For the Cyclones, Alec Kisena similarly allows just four hits with six strikeouts before exiting with one out in the sixth.  While inheriting a runner at second in relief of Kisena, Eric Orze closes out the top half of the frame unscathed.  Meanwhile, Lindow continues the mission with a scoreless bottom half of the sixth.

Eric Orze retires Jersey Shore in the top of the seventh, striking out DH Herbert Iser for out number three.  For the BlueClaws, right-hander Mark Potter takes over pitching duties from Lindow, who exits having allowed just five hits, just one for extra bases.  Suddenly, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, LT Struble bunts for a base hit, then steals second base.  Next up, Antoine Duplantis lined a triple to center field, scoring Struble with the go-ahead run.  Unfortunately, Duplantis is left stood at third base.

Like an omen, third baseman Brett Baty's errant throw to first base opens the eighth.  With one out, Eric Orze issues a walk and then walks another to load the bases.  Brooklyn makes a change, and with one out into the game comes Mitch Ragan.  The Cyclones come close to executing a 5-4-3 double-play, but a safe call at first and the lead runner scoring from third knots the game at one.  

Jersey Shore right-hander Mike Adams is called upon to pitch the bottom of the eighth.  He pitches himself into, then out of potential trouble, and into the ninth inning, they go.

With one out in the top of the frame, Jose Mena (starting in place of dinged-up Francisco Alvarez) throws out an attempted steal of second.  Mitch Ragan then fans Herbert Iser for the third out.  In turn, Jersey's Andrew Brown throws a scoreless home half of the ninth, sending this contest into extra innings.

Mitch Ragan returns to the bump but does not hold.  The BlueClaws pull the old pinch-runner for the phantom runner who scores on consecutive sacrifice flies routine for a one-run advantage.

Then, facing Andrew Brown, Brooklyn loads the bases with the phantom runner, Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty HBP, and a walk to Luke Ritter.  After a mound visit, Andrew Brown walks Joe Genord tying the game at two.  Still, with no outs, Jose Mena wields a line-drive single to right field, Brett Baty scores the winning run.

Mitch Ragan earns the win.  Brooklyn evens the battle of the beaches at one.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Get Two-Hit By Hudson Valley Renegades For Third Time In Series

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE 

Hudson Valley defeats Brooklyn; 5-1

I - HVR 3; BKN 2

II - BKN 5; HVR 3

III - HVR 1; BKN 0

IV - HVR 8; BKN 0

V - HVR 5; BKN 4

VI - HVR 5; BKN 0

Look What The Renegades Did To The Cyclones, Again!

Toeing the rubber for Brooklyn in Sunday's series finale is Jose Butto, opposed by Hudson Valley right-hander Hayden Wesneski.  A scoreless duel extends through the fifth inning with just three hits for the Renegades and one for Brooklyn off the bat of Zach Ashford in the second.

Butto exits a scoreless game after the fifth.  He faces 19 batters, throwing 82 pitches with 54 (65.8%) going for strikes while allowing just three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.  Reliever Allan Winans enters in the sixth and promptly surrenders the Renegades' fourth hit of the game, which is soon erased when Renegades' catcher Josh Breaux bounces into a 5-4-3 double-play.

Hayden Wesneski surrenders only his second hit of the game in the sixth, a one-out single by Cody Bohanek.  He goes right back out and throws a scoreless seventh, striking out Antoine Duplantis and Ronny Mauricio before walking Brett Baty.  Catcher Francisco Alvarez flies to left field, ending the frame.

Allan Winans climbs the hill again for the eighth.  He walks the dreaded leadoff batter, and you know what happens next.  Shortstop Josh Smith doubles down the right-field line scoring Evan Alexander from second base.  Mitch Ragan relieves Allan Winans.  After issuing an intentional walk, Josh Breaux greets Ragan with a line-drive double to left field, scoring Smith.  Breaux then hits the next batter with a pitch to load the bases.  First baseman Eric Wagaman lofts a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Ezequiel Duran from third.  Mitch Ragan finally gets James Nelson on a pop-up to second.  But the damage is done, three runs for Hudson Valley in the eighth.

Right-hander Nick Ernst relieves Hayden Wesneski in the eighth.  Wesneski exits on the winning side of a 3-0 game, allowing just two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  The Cyclones are set down in order in the bottom of the frame.

Brooklyn right-hander Hunter Parsons is called upon to pitch the ninth in relief of Mitch Ragan.  With a double and single, Hudson Valley immediately puts runners on the corners, and a walk loads the bases before Parsons records an out.  A fielding error by Ronny Mauricio leads to a pair of runs.  Another intentional walk reloads the bases.  The Cyclones then convert a forceout at home, get the infield fly rule invoked, and finally retire the Renegades on a flyball to center from Wagaman, but not before two more runs come home for a 5-0 lead.

Hudson Valley right-hander Zach Greene retires the Cyclones to end this Coney Island nightmare.

In this series, Hudson Valley whitewashes the Cyclones three times, and three times they limit Brooklyn to just two hits.  On Thursday, June 10, in game three of the series, Hudson Valley limits the Cyclones to just a pair of hits.  On Friday, June 11, the Cyclones are again limited to just two hits.  Sunday is no different.  Zach Ashford and Juan Uriarte are the only two Cyclones who hit safely.

• BOXSCORE: 6/13/2021

The Squirrel, Jeff McNeil, started at second base and batted lead-off.  He lofted a fly to left field in the first inning and grounded out to first base unassisted to end the third before being removed.  This marks Jeff McNeil's second-ever visit to Coney Island.  He last played for the Cyclones in 2019, going 1 for 4 with a run scored.  After spending the 2013 season at Kingsport, McNeil bypassed Brooklyn in 2014, spending the season at Savannah and Port St. Lucie.

Brooklyn Cyclones Fail To Stave Off Late Jersey Shore Surge

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Jersey Shore leads Brooklyn; 3-2

I - BK 11; JS 

II - JS 4; BK 1

III - BK 6; JS 4

IV - JS 5; BK 4

V - JS 5; BK 5

Jersey Shore Overcomes Four Run Deficit; Walk-Off In Ninth

Cyclones Starter Alec Kisena Throws Five No-Hit Innings

Brooklyn shortstop Ronny Mauricio's first-inning three-run home run gives the Cyclones an immediate lead.  First sacker Joe Genord then connects for his sixth home run this season giving the Cyclones a 4-0 advantage through four.  

Brooklyn pitchers keep Jersey Shore off the board through the seventh.  Starter Alec Kisena allows no runs on no hits and one walk with five strikeouts through five innings pitched.  He faces 15 batters while throwing 67 pitches, with 40 (59.7%) going for strikes.  

Reliever Hunter Parsons pitches a scoreless sixth and seventh innings.  

Afterwhich, Brooklyn fortunes change.  Parsons yields two runs in the eighth on a home run by third baseman Nate Fassnacht.  Right-hander Mitch Ragan is summoned to pitch the ninth and proceeds to yield three runs on three hits, two for extra bases.  First baseman Rudy Rott delivers the game-winning hit with one out in the ninth.  Ragan records just one out in the inning.

Brooklyn's penchant for double-digit strikeouts continues with 13 more whiffs this game and just one walk in 34 at-bats.

The Cyclones will attempt to even the series in Sunday's finale.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Greenville Drives Coney Island Fans Crazy

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

OPENING DAY
Tuesday, May 18, 2021

HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES

vs.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

FROM

Old Steeplechase Grounds

Our Brooklyn Cyclones are finally coming home.  The 2019 New York Penn League champions have yet to play a game at Coney Island since I snapped this picture on that glorious September night twenty long months ago.  They've been promoted up in levels, and now play in the newly formed High-A East Division.  Because of MiLB realignment, many of the 2019 champions will be returning for a second season in Brooklyn.  Among them are position players Brett Baty, Antione Duplantis, Joe Genord,  Luke Ritter, Jose Mena, and Jake Mangum.  From the pitching ranks, returning hurlers include Dan Goggin,  Andrew Edwards, Mitch Ragan, Brian Metoyer, Josh Hejka, Alec Kisena, Jaison Vilera, and Josh Walker.  Hurry back, we miss you!

⚾

Greenville defeats Brooklyn; 4-2

I - BKN 6; GVL 1

II - BKN 3; GVL 2

III - GVL 8; BKN 2

IV - GVL 5; BKN 1

V - GVL 8; BKN 4

VI - GVL 10; BKN 9

Like deja vu all over again ... 

• BOXSCORE: Sunday, May 16, 2021; Game #11

Brooklyn was pushing the pace.  They held various leads in this game, some larger than others.  Meanwhile, the Drive remained just close enough to stay representative.  Then, reminiscent of Saturday's four-run eighth inning, Greenville erupts this day for five runs in the eighth to overtake the Cyclones.

After two superlative starts, Josh Walker yields four earned runs on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Designated hitter Delvin Granberg connected off Walker for a two-run home run in the fourth.  In the eighth, the Drive tag reliever Michel Otanez for another five earned runs on four hits and two walks, and just like that, Brooklyn found themselves down 9-6 heading into the ninth.  

With Jose Mena and Antoine Duplantis on base, shortstop Ronny Mauricio Ronny clears the wall in left, tying the game at nine!

Leading off the bottom of the ninth, Greenville's first baseman Tyreque Reed deposits Brooklyn reliever Eric Orze's 3-2 offering over the right-field wall.

Game over.

See you TUESDAY ... 

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Season Opener at Historic McCormick Field

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

2001 ~ Twentieth Anniversary ~ 2021

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

New York-Penn League Champions

2019

It's been a long 508 days since the Brooklyn Cyclones last took the field.  On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, they defeated the Lowell Spinners to capture their second-ever championship.  Afterwhich, baseball and society came to a grinding halt due to the COVID pandemic.  Major League Baseball then overhauled and realigned all of MiLB during the most recent off-season, completely changing the landscape.  Unless the league is restarted in the future, the Brooklyn Cyclones go down as the last New York Penn League champion.

• ROSTER: 2021 Brooklyn Cyclones

Brooklyn is now a long-season high-A affiliate.  One of the benefits, as a fan, is the higher level of competition and, of course, more games - 120 games to be exact.  Sadly, the days of Brooklyn versus Staten Island are over.  The Hudson Valley Renegades are now a New York Yankees affiliate, making the Dutchess County club Brooklyn's newest and biggest rival.  That is if you haven't already singled out as a next rival, the newly rebranded Jersey Shore Blue Claws (formerly Lakewood).  Joining Brooklyn and Hudson Valley from the former New York Penn League is the Aberdeen Ironbirds. 

HIGH-A EAST North Division:

• Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn League)
• Hudson Valley Renegades (New York-Penn League)
• Aberdeen Ironbirds (New York-Penn League)
• Wilmington Blue Rocks (Carolina League)
• Jersey Shore Blue Claws (South-Atlantic League)

HIGH-A EAST South Division:

• Ashville Tourists (South-Atlantic League)
• Greensboro Grasshoppers (South-Atlantic League)
• Hickory Crawdads (South-Atlantic League)
• Rome Braves (South-Atlantic League)
• Greenville Drive (Carolina League)
• Winston-Salem Dash (Carolina League)
• Bowling Green Hot Rods (Midwest League)

Due to COVID, this year's travel schedule is being limited to Hudson Valley, Jerse Shore, Aberdeen, Asheville, Greenville, and Wilmington.

SEASON OPENER

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Brooklyn Cyclones vs. ASHEVILLE TOURISTS

McCormick Field

North Carlina

Lefty Josh Walker Hurls a Gem

With Brooklyn staked to a 6-0 lead, Asheville finally connects for its base first hit in the sixth.  

So starts the 2021 regular season at the historic near-century old McCormick Field, the third-oldest minor league ballpark in America.

Receiving the privilege of making the season-opening start, Brooklyn manager Ed Blankmeyer hands the ball to southpaw Josh Walker who yields no hits through five innings pitched while walking only one and fanning eight.  Right-hander Eric Orze throws a scoreless sixth in relief of Walker but in the seventh, yields a lead-off home run to shortstop Freudis Nova.  

Third baseman Bret Baty spearheads the charge.  His first-inning single delivers home two runs.  But it's catcher Hayden Senger who strikes the mighty blow, a second-inning home run giving Brooklyn a 3-0 lead.  Center fielder Scott Ota's base hit in the third drives home second baseman Luke Ritter; then, with Senger at the plate and Ota standing at third, a balk is called, giving the Cyclones a five-run advantage.  Bret Baty follows with a double in the fourth driving in his third run of the game.

The Ashville Tourists finally get on the board on first baseman Scott Schreiber's seventh-inning home run against reliever Mitch Ragan.  However, in the top of the eighth, Tourists' reliever Yeremi Ceballos unleashes consecutive wild pitches allowing two more Brooklyn base runners to score.  But in the bottom of the eighth, Mitch Ragan surrenders a home run to left fielder Colin Barber.  Mitch Ragan pitches himself into more trouble in the ninth by loading the bases.  But he regroups to strike out the side, the last Asheville batter being Colin Barber.

Starter Josh Walker earns the victory.  Shortstop Ronny Mauricio is 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.  Brooklyn batters amass eleven hits while three Cyclones pitchers join to strike out 15 batters.

• BOXSCORE
  
• 5/4/21 - Hudson Valley 2; JERSEY SHORE 6

 

Brooklyn Cyclones Win 2019 New York Penn League Championship

From the desk of: McNAMARA DIVISION & NYPL CHAMPIONS

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Brooklyn Defeats Lowell; 2-1

I - BRK 2; LOW 1

II - LOW 3; BRK 1

III - BRK 4; LOW 3

BROOKLYN WINS FIRST UNDISPUTED BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SINCE 1955

It's been 18-years since the Cyclones completed their inaugural season at Coney Island.  It was a magical summer of baseball by the beach.  One I'll never forget.  For the first time since 1957 a professional baseball team called Brooklyn home.

The opening day line-up remains vivid in my mind.  The Cyclones post a team record and league best 52-24 record en route to capturing their first ever McNamara Division flag.  In their first ever post-season catcher Brett Kay's late inning home run in game three against the Staten Island Yankees clinches Brooklyn's first round victory and an improbable berth in the New York Penn League championship series.

Brooklyn defeats the Crosscutters in game one at Williamsport.  Game two is scheduled for Tuesday evening, September 11, at Coney Island.  However the horrific events and national tragedy which unfold that very morning force a cancellation of the series.  The New York Penn League declares the Brooklyn Cyclones and Williamsport Crosscutters co-champions of the 2001 season.

Brooklyn and Williamsport meet again in the 2003 championship series.  This time the Crosscutters sweep the Cyclones in two.  Four years later Coney loses two straight against the Auburn Doubledays.  They earn a third trip back to the championship series in 2010 only to be swept yet again by the Tri-City Valley Cats.

In 2012 the Cyclones lose a first round playoff series against the Hudson Valley Renegades, then fail to qualify for post-season play through the next six seasons.

In his third season as manager, Edgardo Alfonzo leads the Cyclones to their second straight 40-win season.  With a series sweep over the Yankees on the final weekend of the regular season Brooklyn (43-32) finishes tied for the league's best record with Hudson Valley.  But through virtue of the tie breaker Brooklyn claims their sixth ever McNamara Division title.  The Cyclones go on to defeat the Hudson Valley Renegades in the first round two games against one.

ICYMI

Cyclones Defeat Renegades; Earn Trip Back to Championship Series

On Sunday Sept. 8, the Cyclones win their first championship series game since 2001 with a 2-1 victory over the Spinners at Lowell.  After losing game two on Monday, the Cyclones answer back with a title clinching 4-3 comeback victory on Tuesday at Coney Island.  It's the Cyclones first undisputed championship in their 19-year history.

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019

CYCLONES STARTER NATHAN JONES TAKES HIS WARM-UPS

The Mets  2019 fifth round draft pick yields two runs, one earned, on three hits and three walks with one strikeout through three innings pitched.  He faces 14 batters while throwing 55 pitches with 31 going for strikes.  He exits to a no decision.

BOTTOM FIRST

With Brett Baty (walk) and Ranfy Adon (double) in scoring position,
Jake Mangum (above) strokes a two-out single through the right side scoring Baty.
Then with runners on the corners Antoine Duplantis (below) grounds to second;
Adon scores on the play giving Brooklyn an early 2-0 first inning lead.

THIRD INNING

With two outs in the top of the third, Nathan Jones issues a walk to Spinners right fielder Nick Decker and a single to second baseman Cameron Cannon.  Lowell first baseman Joe Davis then slashes a hit down the right field line scoring both runners knotting the game at two; Ranfy Adon is charged with a throwing error on the play.  With two outs in the bottom of the third, Lowell starter Jay Groome (pictured above) exits to a no decision.

TOP SEVENTH

With Mitch Ragan pitching in relief of Matthew Allan, Lowell designated hitter
Marino Campana (above) homers to left giving the Spinners a 3-2 lead.

BOTTOM SEVENTH

Antoine Duplantis (above) stands on third base after his game tying triple to right; Jake Mangum scores.  Yoel Romero (below) stands at first base under a Coney Island moon after his base hit to left plates Duplantis with the go ahead run.

TOP NINTH

Manager Alfonzo sends Andrew Edwards back to the mound for a second inning of relief.   He yields a lead-off hit to third baseman Nicholas Northcut.  After striking out Marino Campana, he walks pinch hitter Jaxx Groshans on four pitches.  Edwards regroups to strikeout left fielder Stephen Scott.  Then with two outs and two runners on base Lowell sends up pinch hitter Alex Erro who strikeouts swinging (pictured above) on three pitches.

THIS IS NEXT YEAR!!

NEW YORK PENN LEAGUE

Brooklyn Cyclones Tie For Wild Card Lead With Two Games Left

From the desks of: 

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  &  THE RICHMOND COUNTY RATS

Battle of the Boroughs

NATIONAL ANTHEM

LABOR DAY WEEKEND BEGINS

SATURDAY

Staten Island Yankees     2

Brooklyn Cyclones        11

FINAL

First Pitch

With everything riding on these next three games, Brooklyn seizes game one with an 11-2 triumph over the Staten Island Yankees at old Steeplechase Grounds.  The teams waste little time trading runs in the first.  In the second Staten Island takes a 2-1 lead on a lead-off single from left fielder Pat DeMarco, and a follow up double from right fielder Juan DeLeon against Cyclones starter Matthew Allan.  Luke Ritter doubles leading off the fourth and eventually scores via a pair of effectively productive sacrifice fly outs.  Brooklyn pushes two more runs across the plate in the sixth on doubles from Robinson Cano and Joe Genord and a gift error by Yankees third baseman Andres Chaparro.  Catcher Jose Mena is struck by a pitch leading off the seventh.  After which the Cyclones bats strike back with seven runs on five hits highlighted by Joe Genord's three run blast off Yankees reliever Marcus Evey.

(RHP) MATTHEW ALLAN

Mets Third Round Selection 2019 June Draft

Promoted from the GCL Mets, Matthew Allan makes his Brooklyn Cyclones debut Saturday afternoon against the Yankees.  The plan heading in called for a brief appearance.  In turn he faces eleven batters and throw 34 pitches with 25 (73%) going for pitches.  Nice on paper, in fact the very first batter he faces, second baseman and lead-off hitter Ezequiel Duran, fans looking at a very nifty curve ball.  But Allan winds up yielding two earned runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts through two innings pitched.

Hand out gold stars to the four Cyclones relievers who join together in pitching seven scoreless innings of three hit ball with ten strikeouts in relief of starter Matthew Allan.  Mitch Ragan picks up his third victory for a scoreless sixth and seventh inning with three strikeouts.

ROBINSON CANO

New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano's compromised hamstring is coming along far quicker than anyone anticipated.  He makes the start at second for Brooklyn against the Yankees and is generally received well by the Brooklyn crowd.  Robinson  reciprocates the warm welcome by going 2 for 4 with a double, run scored, and a run batted in.

CANO in the FIELD

3B - BRETT BATY

Mets First Round Selection 2019 June Draft

Brett Baty also makes his Brooklyn debut with the Cyclones.  He is promoted from (rookie) Kingsport where he hit six home runs with 22 RBI in 42 games and 156 at-bats.  He goes 0 for 3 with a walk, and a run scored.

LUKE RITTER at the PLATE

Designated hitter Luke Ritter and Joe Genord are big men on campus.  Ritter is 3 for 5 with a double, three runs scored, and four runs batted in.  Genord goes 2 for 2 with his ninth home run of the season, and five runs batted in.  Unlike their parent club of late, the Cyclones are 7 for 15 with RiSP, and leave only five runners on base.

Manager Edgardo Alfonzo

Hudson Valley defeats the Aberdeen Ironbirds at Dutchess County.  The Renegades score early and often, then pour it on again in the late innings for good measure.  They batter Aberdeen pitching for 16 hits and nine runs.  In turn the Renegades limit Ironbird hitters to just one run on a mere three hits.

Now what?

• New York Penn League

Hudson Valley is alone in first place of the McNamara Division, with Brooklyn and Aberdeen tied for second just one game back.  Scenario two: the Brooklyn Cyclones and Aberdeen Ironbirds are now tied for the wild card lead.  With Friday's loss against the Cyclones the Staten Island Yankees are eliminated from the division race.  However, they're still alive in the wild card chase albeit a precarious 1.5 games back of the Cyclones and Ironbirds with just two games left.  Sunday brings a new day but the mission remains the same.  Now that the Renegades have jumped out to a series lead, Brooklyn needs Hudson Valley to complete the sweep.  In the meantime Brooklyn must continue handling their business against the Yankees.  The series shifts to the Ballpark at St. George for game two on Sunday.