Brooklyn Cyclones: Downward Spiral Continues Against Yankees

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Staten Island leads season series 4-3

GAME ONE

Brooklyn    2

Staten Is.   3

FINAL

Don't look now, but that piano falling out of the sky has a Brooklyn Cyclones logo on it.  After jumping out of the gate with an 8-2 record, the Brooks have gone just 3-9 since.  On Saturday, they lose their fifth in a row, and their seventh in their last eight games.  It is also their fourth loss in seven games so far against Staten Island.

As a result, the Cyclones drop down to third place, three games behind the first place Hudson Valley Renegades.

The Cyclones enter today's action looking to even up with the Yankees and climb a game back over a .500 again.  Lose, and Edgardo Alfonzo's crew falls below par for the first time this season.  After losing the opener at Staten Island on Saturday, the series shifts back to Coney Island for today's Sunday afternoon game.  After which, teams head back to Staten Island for Monday's series finale.

On Saturday, Brooklyn second baseman Carlos Cortes collects three of Brooklyn's four hits.  Catcher Kevin Hall strikes Brooklyn's only other hit against Staten Island pitching.  Otherwise, the rest of the Cyclones line-up goes 0 for 21 with five strikeouts.

The Yankees rough up Cyclones starter Christian James for a pair of runs on nine hits and a walk in just 4.0 innings pitched.  But he escapes with a no-decision.

Staten Island holds a 2-0 lead after five.  In the the top of the sixth, an E-6 by Yankees shortstop Eduardo Torrealba clears the way for two unearned Cyclones runs.  The game remains tied entering the eighth.  But with one out in the bottom half of the frame, Yankees right fielder Junior Soto homers to left off Cyclones reliever Billy Oxford, whom sustains his first loss of the season.

SUNDAY

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Coney Island

Brooklyn Cyclones: Ross Adolph Leads Coney Island Over Staten Island Yanks

From the desk of: 

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  and  THE ST. GEORGE SAUSAGE RATS

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

Series tied 1-1

I - SIY 3; BKC 1

II - BKC 7; SIY 4

GAME THEE

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

Ballpark by the Beach

CONEY ISLAND

Brooklyn Cyclones Even Series With Victory at Richmond County Yard.

After going down meekly in the first, the Coney Island bats ignited in the second inning against Staten Island starter Juan De Paula.  Leading off, first baseman Chase Chambers (fifth in the league in batting) squeezed a grounder through the infield.  Center fielder Ross Adolph then followed with a home run over the right/center wall.  Catcher Nick Meyer kept the hits coming with a triple to right, then scored on shortstop Manny Rodriguez' one-out base hit through the left side of the infield.  Second baseman Oliver Pasqual added a single, but the Yankees escaped further damage by turning  5-4-3 double play.

Monday Night Baseball

Cyclones     7

Pizza Rats  4

final

Leading off the bottom of the third, Staten Island center fielder Junior Soto homered off Brooklyn starter Christian James.  An inning later, the Yankees knocked James out of the box upon taking a 4-3 lead with three runs on three hits and a walk.  Coach Alfonzo relieved him with by Billy Oxford.

After Coney Island left fielder David Miranda drew a walk leading off the sixth, Chase Chambers put runners on the corners with a single to center.  After a pitching change, Ross Adolph delivered the game tying run with a hit to right.

Staten Island's bullpen struggles continued, surrendering three more runs through the eighth inning.  The Cyclones pounded Yankees pitching for twelve hits overall, five for extra bases.

After just 3.2 innings pitched, starter Christian James escapes with a no-decision.  Billy Oxford earns the win for his 2.1 innings of scoreless work.  He allowed three hits and fanned one.  Yeudy Colon pitched both the eighth and ninth innings for his first save of the season.

The Cyclones even the series against the Yankees; the series finale shifts back to Coney Island Tuesday.  With Monday's victory, they also avoid losing their third straight.  Instead they gain their eleventh victory of the season.  The Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the Iron Birds at Aberdeen, and therefore maintain their slim one game lead over the second place Cyclones.  Meanwhile, the Yankees remain anchored in last place of the McNamara Division with a 5-12 record to start the season.


New York-Penn League:

• Chase Chambers - #5 Avg; #5 OBP
• Jose Brizuela - #9 OPS
• Jose Miguel Medina - t-#2 Doubles

Brooklyn has struck for at least twelves hit in three of their last five games.  One night after stroking a season high fifteen hits against the Lake Monsters, they one-upped themselves, battering Vermont pitching for another record setting sixteen hits.

They're yet to play twenty games, but this year's Cyclones have easily distinguished themselves from last year's team, and the prior year's team for that matter.  Under manager Edgardo Alfonzo the Surf Avenue Sluggers are playing up to their name:


New York Penn League Team Offense:

• Runs - #1
• Hits - #1
• Doubles - #1
• Triples - #1
• Total Bases - #1
• Team Avg - #2
• Team OBP - #2
• Team Slugging - #3
• Walks - #7
• K - #6 most
• Home Runs - #10

When compared to the others, that last stat is quite telling, isn't it?  Something the Queens Mets should be paying closer attention to.

I digress ...

However, The Cyclones on the mound are doing themselves no favors.  In a pitcher's league, the Coney Island hurlers are lagging, to say the least.  In a fourteen team league, Cyclones pitching presently rates below league par.

New York -Penn League Team Pitching:

• ERA - #10
• WHiP - #10
• Earned Runs - Fifth most
• Hits Allowed - fourth most
• Home Runs Allowed - sixth most
• Base on Balls - sixth most  
• Strikeouts - sixth most

No Sleep Till Brooklyn

#LetsGoCyclones

Brooklyn Cyclones: The Long Bus Ride Home; Coney Island Nine Lose

From the desk of:   THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES ~ WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR
 

Another Season Comes To A Close.

Hudson Valley Eliminates The Kids of Summer.

 

 

GAME THREE FINAL:

Brooklyn          0

HudsonValley  2

 

Hudson Valley Renegades Wins Series 2-1

 

 

GAME THREE REVIEW

GAME TWO RECAP

GAME ONE RECAP

GAME ONE; HANSEL ROBLES PITCHES MASTERPIECE

Just like that - the season is over.  Summertime in Coney Island is done.  The Brooklyn Cyclones will not compete for a championship.  Their 2012 quest for glory has unceremoniously ended.  Instead they'll assemble together one last time to clean out their lockers, and join with the rest of the Borough in singing the familiar local refrain - Wait Till Next Year.  But first, a long quiet bus ride home.


Hudson Valley's Jeff Ames and Taylor Guerrieri, and the Renegades bullpen proved themselves to be every bit the equal to Brooklyn's league leading pitching staff.  In Monday's post I pointed out how astonishing Taylor Guerrieri's season numbers were.  I also speculated Game Three would turn into an old fashioned pitchers duel.  With Brooklyn's Luis Cessa opposing Hudson Valley, I  apparently  predicted correctly, but certainly not proudly.  What I hadn't anticipated was the manner in which the Cyclones would get eliminated.


In front of the home crowd in Dutchess Stadium, Taylor Gerrieri and Hudson Valley's bullpen; namely Brandon Henderson; combined to pitch a one-hit shutout over the Brooklyn Cyclones in Game Three.  The Hudson Valley Renegades defeated Brooklyn 2-0, take the semi final series two games to one,  and now advance to the New York Penn League championship round.


It was also discussed in Monday's post how Taylor Guerrieri was only reliable for three to five innings tops.  He held true to form.  However, in a rare episode he was wild.  He walked five Cyclones and was relieved after the fourth inning.  But just like they did in Sunday's game, Hudson Valley's bullpen kept the Cyclones bats silent.


After Brooklyn's Hansel Robles pitched a complete game gem in the series opener, Hudson Valley's overall pitching proved a little better in a short series.  In Game Two's match-up, Jeff Ames bested Luis Mateo over six innings.  Hudson Valley then teed off on Brooklyn's bullpen.  Hudson Valley's relief corp meanwhile, shut the Cyclones down over three innings with no hit, no run, appearances by Dylan Floro and Alex Moshier.


In Game Three, Brandon Henderson put forth a superlative effort in relief of Taylor Guerrieri.  In 4.1 innings pitched, he allowed no runs, no hits, issued no walks, and struck out six batters.  Ryan Garton finished the game for the Renegades with a (0.2 inning) scoreless appearance.


That means in the last two games, Hudson Valley relief pitchers combined to pitch eight innings, surrender no runs, allow no hits, and strikeout eight.  There's your decisive factor in the series.


In the end, Earl Weaver type baseball..., lost.  I'll explain what I mean by that, and deal deeper into  the Brooklyn Cyclones 2012 season tomorrow.





Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: NYPL Playoffs - Game One Tonight

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

 

2001 New York Penn League Co-Champions

5 Time McNamara Division Champions

3 Time Wild Card

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

2012 PLAYOFFS

New York Penn League - Division Semi Finals

 

 

 

TONIGHT

 

GAME ONE

 

 

Hudson Valley Renegades
McNamara Division Champion - (52-24)

vs.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES
Wild Card - 2nd Place McNamara Division (45-31)

 

FROM

MCU PARK

CONEY ISLAND

BROOKLYN

 

 

BrooklynCyclones.com

 

 

Pee Wee Reese - Jackie Robinson Statue

 

 

 

 

Check out my SERIES PREVIEW at RisingApple.com

Game One @ Coney Island

Game Two @ Dutchess Stadium

*Game Three @ Dutchess Stadium

* if necessary

 

KNOW YOUR ENEMY:

Dutchess Stadium

Home of the Hudson Valley Renegades

Fishkill, New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stadium Tributes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Go Cyclones!

 

 

 Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Defeat Spinners; Take Lead In Wild Card Race

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

 

WILD CARD STANDINGS:

Brooklyn.....45-29         *

Batavia.......44-30; 1 GB

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

Back In Front With Two Games Left In Regular Season.  Seaside Sluggers Magic Number = Two.

Batavia finally lost for the first time in ten games.  Potentially, the Cyclones finally got the break they have been looking for.  In early Labor Day action, the Muckdogs lost to the Auburn Doubledays by a 5-3 score.  As a result, Auburn retakes a one game lead in the Pickney Division over Batavia.  That left the 'Dogs waiting around for the late game final out of Brooklyn.


Would the Cyclones take advantage of Monday's early development?  Under the threat of rain, the game in Coney Island started on time.  On the mound, Luis Cessa started for Brooklyn against Lowell's Francellis Montas.


Cyclones fans were hoping the first inning was not an omen of things to come.  Francellis Montas struck out the side, with all three batters swinging at strike three.  Back to back singles to lead off the second inning however, quickly calmed those fears.  The Brooks couldn't take advantage though.  Both base runners were stranded.


Each team scored in the fourth inning.  An RBI single by Jake Davies put Lowell on the board.  In the bottom half of the inning, Francellis Montas was pulled from the game after surrendering a single to Kevin Plawecki, and issuing a walk to Nelfi Zapata.  With two outs, the Spinners called on Francisco Tavares for relief.  A single by Juan Carlos Gamboa scored Plawecki from third to tie the game at one.


Brooklyn took a 2-1 lead in the fifth.  Kevin Plawecki's third hit of the game knocked in Dimas Ponce with the go ahead run.


Through eight innings, the Cyclones accumulated ten hits against Lowell pitching.  However, they only had the two runs to show for it.  That was okay, because Brooklyn's hurler, Luis Cessa, was still cruising late in the game.  He retired the side in order in the first, third, fifth, seventh, and eighth innings.  He allowed four scattered hits, and surrendered the one run back in the fourth.  Luis issued one walk and struck out one to that point


In the bottom of the eighth, Brooklyn increased their lead.  They loaded the bases with one out.  Brandon Nimmo's grounder forced the lead runner at home for out number two.  Lowell's Francisco Tavares, who was in his fourth inning of relief, then walked Dimas Ponce to force in Brooklyn's third run.  Phillip Evans followed, and delivered another insurance run with a single.


As he pitched so efficiently throughout the game, Coach Donnelly sent Luis Cessa out for the ninth inning.  The first batter he faced doubled.  After striking out his second batter of the game, and a 5-3 put out, a single set up a first and third situation.  That's when Coach Donnelly ascended from the dugout to go remove his starting pitcher.  In relief, Tyler Vanderheiden secured the last out of the game to preserve Brooklyn's 4-1 victory.


Vanderheiden earned his twelfth save of the season.  After a brilliant performance, Luis Cessa improved his won/loss record to 5-4, and lowered his ERA to a 2.49 mark.  The heart of Brooklyn's line-up; Phillip Evans, Jayce Boyd, and Kevin Plawecki; combined on nine hits in fourteen at-bats.


The Brooklyn Cyclones lead the Wild Card race again by one full game.  Two more remain on the schedule.  Their magic number is two.  Should Brooklyn defeat Lowell Tuesday evening, coupled with another Muckdogs loss, the Cyclones would clinch the Wild Card.  Otherwise, this race may very well get decided on the last day of the regular season.




Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Wild Card Or Bust

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGERS

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:  After Talking Over First Place From Brooks In July, Hudson Valley Never Looked Back.  Renegades Clinch 2012 McNamara Division Flag.

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES FORCED TO PROTECT ONE GAME WILD CARD LEAD

OVER BATAVIA MUCKDOGS

The margin of difference in Saturday's standings stayed as they ended Friday.  Brooklyn still trails Hudson Valley by five games.  The race for the division flag however, is over.  The Cyclones will not be division champs this season.  With four games left in the regular season, the math says not this time.  Despite the Brooks defeating their rival Staten Island Yankees Saturday evening, the Hudson Valley Renegades shutout the Iron Birds 2-0 in Aberdeen to clinch the 2012 McNamara Division title.


Brooklyn relinquished first place just prior to embarking on their great western road trip through Batavia and Mahoning Valley.  That last home stand concluded July 24th with a second consecutive loss to Aberdeen.  At the same time Hudson Valley was taking two from the Yankees.  The Renegades were in the midst of a seven game winning streak at the time, and slipped into the division lead.  Their play has not wained since.  After late July, the Cyclones never tasted first place again.  They got close.  Down the stretch however, Hudson Valley proved more consistent than did Brooklyn.  Hudson Valley at one point was 9-1 over a ten game stretch while Brooklyn was playing 5-5 baseball.


The division crown seemed lost a week ago.  Brooklyn was seven games out at the time. Then Staten Island intervened with a pair of wins over Hudson Valley.  Thanks to the Yanks, Brooklyn gained two games on the leaders and were newly afforded one last opportunity to make up five games with eight  left on the schedule.  With success unlikely, that quest finally ended Saturday night.


With a 44-28 record, and .611 winning percentage, the Cyclones must now invest all their efforts  toward protecting a precarious one game Wild Card lead over the Batavia Muckdogs.  This is a race the Cyclones once lead by seven games over the State College Spikes, before the Muckdogs bum rushed the competition.  The 'Dogs are now winners of eight consecutive games, and show no signs of letting up.  During their latest game in Williamsport, the Muckdogs and Crosscutters engaged in a thump fest won by the 'Dogs in a 12-11 final.


Brooklyn has one game left against Staten Island Sunday, before ending the season with a three game series against the Lowell Spinners.  Batavia will start a two game series against the Auburn Doubledays Sunday, and end the season with a two game series against the Jamestown Jammers.





Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Battle Of The Boroughs Resumes

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE of the BOROUGHS:

 

 

 

GAME ONE FINAL:

Yankees   1

Cyclones  5

 

 

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

FROM

CONEY ISLAND

 

 

 

 

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

Batavia Muckdogs Keep Pressure On Coney Island.

 

Brooks Defeat Baby Bombers

Preserve Their One Game Wild Card Lead.

 

 

The Brooklyn Cyclones defeated the Staten Island Yankees 5-1 Friday evening.  All they could do however was hold their ground, because both the Hudson Valley Renegades and the Batavia Muckdogs won their games as well.

 

With only five games now left in the regular season, the Cyclones trail the McNamara Division leading Hudson Valley Renegades by five games.  No room for error there.  So in the more pressing Wild Card race, Brooklyn remains a mere game ahead of the Batavia Muckdogs

 

Brooklyn starter, Hansel Robles, took care of the first five innings against Staten Island.  Three calls to the bullpen later, all Cyclones pitchers combined to limit Staten Island to a single unearned run.  Otherwise, the Yankees had six hits, and received three walks.  Brooklyn hurlers combined to strikeout eight batters.

 

The Cyclones did all their damage between the third and sixth inning.  Kevin Plawecki was 2 for 4 with an RBI.  Dimas Ponce knocked in two runs.  Brandon Nimmo and Alexander Sanchez also chipped in with an RBI each.

 

The Batavia Muckdogs refuse to lose, and therefore continue to force Brooklyn's hand.  The pressure is on the Boardwalk Bums to keep winning.  They have two more games against Staten Island before wrapping up the season against Lowell.  They will have the benefit of playing in Coney Island.  So the hope is they will not be the last home games of the season.

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Coney Island Nine Get Help From Staten Island

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

TONIGHT

 

 

 

 

McNamara Division Showdown:

 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

vs.

Hudson Valley Renegades

FROM

Fishkill, N.Y.

 

Playoff Race Update:  Do not rule out a division flag yet.  The Staten Island Yankees helped their fellow outer Borough brothers by taking on the role of spoiler.  The Richmond County Bombers  defeated Hudson Valley twice in the last two days.  The Cyclones in turn, swept their two game series against Aberdeen.  As a result, Brooklyn gained two games on the division leaders, and now get to play them face to face.  At the start of tonight's two game series against Hudson Valley, the Cyclones are back to being five games out of first with eight games to play, including tonight's game.


After getting rained-out on Monday, the Batavia Muckdogs swept a doubleheader on Tuesday from the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.  The Cyclones still maintain a two game lead in the Wild Card race over the Muckdogs.




Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Begin Final Playoff Push With Win In Aberdeen

From the desk of:   THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:

Tyler Vanderheiden Gives Mates a Ninth Inning Scare.

Brooks Hold On For Win In Series Opener Versus Aberdeen.

 

Nine Games Left In Regular Season; Lead Wild Card By 2.5 Games

The countdown has begun.  Heading into Monday, ten games remained in the regular season.  And due to inconsistent play of late, Brooklyn's hold on the Wild Card has been slipping.  The Cyclones once led the Wild Card by as many as seven games.  Entering Monday's action, their lead had  dwindled down to two.


This week's schedule called for a road trip to Maryland.  And so, the Surf Avenue Sluggers were in Aberdeen tonight.  To open the series, Brooklyn's ace, Rainy Lara, was opposed by Iron Bird's starter, Lex Rutledge.


Through the first two innings, all remained quiet.  Then in the third, Brooklyn struck for the game's first run against Rutledge.  Cyclones second baseman, Richie Rodriguez, led off the inning with a single, then came around and scored when Dimas Ponce grounded into a fielder's choice.  Pitcher Lex Rutledge was removed after just three innings however.  Aside from the one run allowed, Aberdeen's starter only walked one batter and struck out four.


In the sixth inning, Brooklyn scored again, this time off Jamie Esquivel, who pitched four innings in relief of Lex Rutledge.  Jayce Boyd connected on his third home run of the season to give the Cyclones a 2-0 lead.


Rainy Lara completed six full innings of shutout ball and left on the winning side.  He allowed three scattered hits, walked one, and struck out four batters.  Matthew Koch was first out of the bullpen, and pitched himself into some trouble over 1.2 innings.  After surrendering a double in the eighth, Coach Donnelly turned to David Wynn, who finished out the frame, and kept the game scoreless.


Then, into the ninth inning they went.  In the top half, Brooklyn failed to secure an insurance run against Aberdeen's third pitcher of the evening, Jose Nivar.  For the bottom of the ninth, Coach Donnelly put the ball in Tyler Vanderheiden's hand.  After retiring the first two batters he faced, it looked like a good move too.  Then Coach Donnelly's closer suffered an acute bout of the yips.  With two outs mind you..., a double, a hit by pitch, a single, and an E-7 later, the Iron Birds were halfway to achieving a tie with that runner on third.  But Tyler Vanderheiden regrouped, and struck out Aberdeen's Chase Weems swinging for out number three.


Tyler Vanderheiden was credited with his tenth save of the season.  But Monday night's true king of the hill was Brooklyn's starting pitcher.  Rainy Lara earned his eighth win of the season, which ties him for the New York Penn League lead.  His 0.97 WHiP ranks seventh in the circuit.  In sixty-one innings pitched this season, he has limited batters to forty-nine hits, while issuing a mere ten walks.  His sixty-nine strikeouts rank second in the League behind his teammate Luis Mateo.


The Cyclones were actually limited to four hits.  Equally lacking, Brooklyn batted one for six with runners in scoring position.  Aberdeen doubled Brooklyn's output with eight hits.  But Brooklyn's strength; their pitching; have often made two runs stand up before.  And moving forward, they will most likely need to continue that trend.


The Cyclones have also received little in the way of out of town help over the last ten games or so.  Finally, Mother Nature found favor with the Baby Bums Monday night, and Brooklyn's neighbor and rival, the Staten Island Yankees, even provided their fellow New Yorker with an assist as well.


In the Ball Park at St. George, the Bombers hosted, then tossed the Hudson Valley Renegades into the drink.  The Yankees 8-2 win over the Renegades allowed Brooklyn to gain one game on the McNamara Division leaders.  But with nine games now left in the season, the Brooks are still six games back of first.  Stranger things have happened though.  No?


In the more pressing Wild Card race, Monday night's game in Ohio between the Batavia Muckdogs versus the Mahoning Vally Scrappers was rained-out.  So for now, Brooklyn's win allowed them to creep away from Batavia by a half game, at least for a night.  Coney Island's lead over the Muckdogs is now 2.5 games.  A double header most likely awaits the Muckdogs and Scrappers on Tuesday.





Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Cyclones: Take Series from Vermont Lake Monsters

From the desk of:   THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:  Take Rubber Game From Monsters.  Remain Three Games Back Of First Place; Wild Card Lead is Five Games.


Monday Night Baseball in Vermont - Contain yourselves.  In the rubber game between the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Lake Champlain Sea Monsters, Coney Island starter Julian Hilario continued a string of scoreless innings pitched, that effectively started Saturday night in the eighth inning of a 4-1 loss.  But in game two of this series played Sunday, Hansel Robles started on the hill, and four Cyclones relievers combined to shutout the Vermont Lake Monsters,, and limit them to three hits all game.


In Monday night's game, Julian Hilario kept the Monsters hitless through the first two innings, and scoreless through the first three innings.


Back in the second inning, Brooklyn staked Hilario to a 4-0 lead.  Juan Carlos Gamboa reached on a two base E-6 to open the doors.  Nelfi Zapata singled, sending Gamboa to third.  Batting ninth in the order, Eudy Pina then stepped in with one out, and crushed his fifth home run of the season.  Brandon Nimmo followed with a single, and was driven home with a two out RBI single by Phillip Evans.  And with that, Vermont's starter, Nolan Sanburn, was directed towards the showers.


In the fourth inning, Vermont managed their second hit off Julian Hilario.  And in the fifth, well..., Vermont's Tyler Vail, struck out the side....that's what happened.  But in the bottom of the fifth, the Monsters put together two hits, and had a runner from third base cut down at the plate on a play scored 5-3-2 to end the inning.  That play brought Julian Hilario's shutout effort to five innings, and Brooklyn's streak of scoreless innings pitched against Vermont this series, to fourteen.


After Brandon Nimmo drew a one-out walk in the sixth, Phillip Evans drove him home yet again with his third single of the game, giving Brooklyn a 5-0 lead.  Except for an inconsequential single, Julian Hilario retired Vermont quietly again in the bottom of the sixth inning.


In the seventh inning, the scoreless innings streak ended at 15.2 innings.  But that came against reliever Logan Taylor; not Julian Hilario.  Coach Donnelly decided the Cyclones' starter's night was through.  He pitched six full innings, allowing five scattered hits.  He walked three, and struck out four batters before giving way to the bullpen.


In the bottom of the seventh, Vermont scored after Phillip Evans committed a one-out error at shortstop.  Then a two out triple delivered that runner home.  Taylor Logan completed his second inning of work.  In all, he allowed two hits and an unearned run.  He walked one, and struck out four.


Against Vermont's fourth pitcher of the evening, Ryan Dull, the Coney Island Nine picked up an insurance run in the ninth.  Stefan Sabol connected on his fifth home run of the season, to give the Brooks a 6-1 lead.


In the Monster's last licks, they faced Brooklyn's Tyler Vanderheiden.  For a brief moment, things went awry.  Another E-6 by Phillip Evans was followed by consecutive wild pitches by Vanderheiden.  A single then drove home Vermont's second run of the game, but nothing more.  The Cyclones win the third game of the series by a 6-2 score, and take two of three from the Lake Monsters.


The Batavia Muckdogs and Hudson Valley Renegades were also winners tonight.  So we end the night as things were, when we started.  The Brooklyn Cyclones (37-23) trail the first place Hudson Valley Renegades (40-20) in the McNamara Division by three games.  In the Wild Card race, the Cyclones hold a five game lead over the Batavia Muckdogs.  Sixteen games remain in the Cyclones' regular season.


Next stop - Coney Island, where the Cyclones will host the top team in the circuit; the Stedler Division leading Tri City Valley Cats.




Mike.BTB

BKN Cyclones ~ Strengthen Hold on First Against Renegades

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:  Eleventh Inning Win Opens Up Two Game Lead Over Hudson Valley in McNamara Division.


In the clash for the top spot of the McNamara Division, visiting Brooklyn shut out the Renegades 3-0 in their place on Sunday to open a one game lead in the standings.  Starter Luis Mateo pitched six strong innings to pick up his third win against no loses.  He surrendered a mere three hits, walked none, and struck out six.  David Wynn followed out of the bullpen to pitch the next two frames.  He struck out three before giving way to Tyler Vanderheiden, who picked up his fourth save of the season.

Cole Frenzel launched his first home run of the season leading off the second inning.  And the Brooks picked up two more runs on an E-5 in the third inning, capping off the night's scoring.

In Monday night's game at the Ballpark at Coney Island, the Cyclones led 1-0 after three innings thanks to a Eudy Pina bomb to center field.  But they promptly surrendered two runs in Hudson Valley's next at-bat.  In the home fourth, RBI by Jayce Boyd and Brandon Nimmo put Brooklyn back on top by a 3-2 score.  Then in the fifth, the Brooks picked up an insurance run on Stefan Sabol's RBI single.

Cyclones' starter Luis Cessa, pitched 4.0 innings.  He gave up three hits and walked three, while allowing two earned runs.

The Hudson Valley Renegades rallied late against Cyclones' reliever Beck Wheeler.  With the 'Clones ahead 4-2, Hudson Valley plated three runs on a Ryan Dunn bases clearing double, giving the Renegades a 5-4 lead in the seventh.  They would add an insurance run in the eighth against Juan Urbina.

In the eighth inning, the Cyclones got one back.  Jayce Boyd led off with a triple to straight away center field, and soon scored to make it a 5-6 game heading into the ninth.

Reliever John Mincone retired the Renegades in order in the top half of the ninth.  Then for last licks, Kevin Plawecki stepped up to lead off for the Cyclones, and promptly hit a laser over the left field wall off Marcus Jensen to tie the game at six apiece.

Into extra-innings they went.  John Mincone pitched into his second frame.  And with the go ahead runner on third, Mincone struck out the last two batters of the inning.

Brandon Nimmo led of the Cyclones tenth and struck out swinging on a 3-2 fastball down the middle of the plate.  Eudy Pina drew another full count but worked out a walk.  Juan Gamboa then worked out a second consecutive walk issued by Marcus Jansen, putting the winning run in scoring position.  After a short fly to center, Phillip Evans stepped up with two outs.  He launched one high and deep to left, but not far enough.  This game was headed for an eleventh inning.

John Mincone came out for another inning of work and effectively retired Hudson Valley for a third straight time.  For his part, he allowed three hits, walked one, gave up no runs, and struck out four.

In the home eleventh, Brooklyn faced Kris Carlson now in relief for Hudson Valley.  After Kevin Plawecki was hit by a pitched ball, Cole Frenzel flared a ball over the second baseman's head to set up a first and second situation with no outs.  Stefan Sabol worked out a walk to load the bases for Jayce Boyd.  Playing in his first game as a Cyclone, he was having a hot night at the plate; batting 3 for 5 to that point.  Boyd then lined a fly to shallow right.  Pinch running for Plawecki at third, Jonathan Clark tagged up and took off for home, successfully scoring the Cyclones' winning run.

The Surf Avenue Sluggers have now opened up a two game lead over the second place Renegades.  This was Brooklyn's eleventh win over four loses.  The teams will now get on the bus and head back into Hudson Valley for the final game of this home-and-home series.




Mike.BTB

BKN Cyclones ~ The Kids of Summer Outlast Yanks on Opening Day

From the desk of:   THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN CYCLONES:  Opening Day Turns Into a Pitcher's Duel.  Brandon Nimmo Scores First Run of Cyclones Season.  The Coney Island Nine Gain Their First Victory of Summer.

Game One in the Battle of the Boroughs, and of the 2012 regular season, goes to the Borough of Kings.


Right away, Brooklyn fans were in for a treat.  Opening Day in Coney Island turned into a classic pitcher's duel.  Through the first seven innings, the Baby Bombers and the Surf Avenue Sluggers remained scoreless.


For the Cyclones, starting pitcher, Ynoa Gabriel, pitched six innings of superb ball.  He allowed three hits, no runs, walked none, and struck out four.  For the Baby Bombers, Taylor Morton, equalled Gabriel's effort with six shut-out innings of his own.  He allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out a pair.


Both teams turned to their bullpens in the seventh.  For the Yankees, Conner Mullee was summoned.  And for the Cyclones, Coach Donnelly charged Dawrin Fias with Brooklyn's initial relief outing of the season.  Both pitchers kept the game scoreless for another frame.  Dawrin Frias pitched the eighth as well, and again kept the Yankees off the board.


In the home eighth, the Yankees handed the ball off to James Pazos.  With one out, Brandon Nimmo worked out a walk against Pazos.  He advanced to second base when Phillip Evans drew a second consecutive walk.  Alexander Sanchez then reached safely on an infield hit to load the bases.  When Stephan Sabol drew yet another base on balls, Brandon Nimmo crossed home plate with the first Cyclones' run of the game, and of the 2012 season.  A sac-fly by Cole Frenzel drove in Phillip Evans from third to give Brooklyn a 2-0 lead.


That's the way it stayed.  Tyler Vanderheiden was called in to close the game for Brooklyn.  And he did not disappoint.  He retired Staten Island in order, striking out the last two batters swinging, for his first save of the season.  For Ynoa Gabriel, his effort earned him his first win , and Dawrin Frias gets credit for a hold.  The three Cyclone pitchers combined to limit the Yankees to four hits all game.


The thrills and chills of Coney Island are officially back.  Let the Summer begin!


Let's Go Cyclones!




Mike.BTB

S.I. Yankees ~ Baby Bombers Put Up For Adoption

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES:

Parents in the Bronx Stick FOR SALE Sign on Their
Staten Island Cabana

Hank's Yanks; Staten Island's Baby Bombers; will be changing hands.  Hank will retain a small piece of the team, but they will be under a new administration once a sale is finalized with un-named parties.  This news (NYDN) broke out Thursday only two days after the team won their sixth New York Penn League Championship on Tuesday.

Since the beginning; from the team's first Opening Day forward; attendance consistently dipped in each of their first four seasons at St. George.  They up-ticked somewhat in 2005.  But in 2006, they suffered through their worst season with only 115,00 fans showing up for games.  Then 2007 started a steady uptick again.  And in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Staten Islanders broke the 200,000 barrier for the first times in the Baby Bombers' decade-plus long history. 

This year, they dropped below 200,000 again; but the 192,500 fans that showed up still amounted to their third best ever attendance figure; and capped off a run of their three most successful seasons at the gate.  Staten Island placed third in the NYPL, as Brooklyn finished first in attendance with Aberdeen a close second.   Brooklyn and Aberdeen popped the gate with nearly a quarter-million fans each this past summer. 

But from my view on the other side of the Verrazano Bridge, the support I see the Yankees receive from Staten Islanders is getting stronger by the season.  If they slacked out there, they are showing renewed interest now.  Considering Brooklyn has over 2.5 million people and Staten Island is still working on their first mill..., I'd say the crowds over at St. George Park have been damn good lately and that Staten Islanders are providing fine support for their team.


To bring Brooklyn into this conversation is unfair to Staten Island and the Yankees.  Brooklyn and Baseball mean something entirely different here.  That's not to say Staten Island isn't connected to Baseball's unique NYC past.  The New York Metropolitan BBC; circa 1880's; existed as a professional baseball team in the old American Association.  As Champs representing the A.A., they lost the 1884 World Series to the National League's Providence Grays.  By 1886, they called Staten Island home for good but folded shortly there after.

150 Years of Baseball; Beekman House; LOC# 90-61429

So, with a good gate; a successful team; a built-in rivalry; and Staten Island's connection with Baseball's grand history; not to mention the NYPL history they are creating by winning their sixth title; why the sale?


Are the attendance figures still not up to the partners' expectations?


My only concern is that the team ends up in good hands and that the new owner is committed to the fans of Staten Island Baseball.  For my part, I love the Battle of the Boroughs and don't want the annual match-up compromised in any way.  Let us hope, this is not the beginning of a string of transactions putting the viability of Baseball in Staten Island on shaky ground.


We are their Brooklyn rivals.  We play against them.  I love to hate them within the context of respectable forms of competition and engage in the intra-borough antagonism with friends.  It is fun when done with people of character; and not troglodytes.  The rivalry is something that now gets talked about in the coffee shops of the neighborhood and at the work place.  So no, I don't want anything to happen to them.  They are still our neighbor.  What's equally important to both boroughs is having them operate as a healthy ball club, and always remain a Local franchise.





Mike.BTB

BKN CYCLONES ~ Season Opens In Staten Island Tonight

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

2011
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

Start Season In Staten Island Versus Rival Yankees.

Whether you call it the

Battle of the Boroughs;

 Battle of the Bridge;

or

The Ferry Series

The long wait is over.  Let the summer begin.


The SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS;
The CYCLONES BY THE SEASHORE;
The CONEY ISLAND NINE;
The BABY BUMS OF THE BOARDWALK;


They're back!


Yes, Brooklyn's beloved Cyclones are back for another season of BASEBALL BY THE BEACH.


A team by any other name is still just a team.  But this is our team.  Because in Brooklyn, a baseball team takes on an entirely different meaning.  And some of you out there need to recognize.  You know who you are.


The 2011 New York-Penn League season kicks off tonight at the home of the Cyclones' chief rival; the Rotten Island Yankees; winners of FIVE New York-Penn League Championships.  And perhaps to a higher degree than I would say towards Staten Island's parent club in the Bronx, to these guys I truly say..., "Stick it!"


"Mike"....some might say, "...it's too early to start slinging arrows." 


To that I say....PFFFF!  It's Staten Island and it's the Yankees.  Need I say more?


Fugheddaboudit!


This is about bragging rights; Borough Pride; and this is about turf.  This is about sticking it to everybody who abandoned their Brooklyn homes and moved to Staten Island because; - just because.


Many people move from Brooklyn.  The big city is after all, transient by nature.  Heck; Once upon a time a baseball team once moved away and went west.  Where ever y'all go, you still like to wear "Brooklyn" on your chests like a badge of courage.  You still like to say you came from Brooklyn.



I AM Brooklyn and live it everyday.  The Cyclones Are Brooklyn!



You?  Frauds!



Don't let the Cyclone Fans drown you out too much as you root for your new adoptive team.

GAME ONE of the SEASON

TONIGHT

BROOKLYN CYCLONES

vs.

Staten Island Yankees

From Richmond County Ballpark at St. George

N.Y.C.

...and you know I could have said much worse!

Enjoy the game and Good Luck this season.

Let's Go Cyclones!





Mike.BTB

Mother Nature Calls "Strike Two" ~ Rained-Out

The Brooklyn Cyclones

will have to wait another day for a chance to tie this series up. Mother Nature had other plans for the Tri City Valley Cats and the Coney Island Nine tonight......AGAIN!

Good Grief.

Maybe she just wanted to watch the Jets game.

The Tri City Valley Cats lead this
NYPL Championship Series

one game to none.

We'll try Game 2 again tomorrow.

MCU Park, 7 pm

BE THERE!

Mike.BTB

The Coney Island Nine Get Rained Out

"Game Called"

Mother Nature had her way today and so the Brooklyn Cyclones will have to wait till tomorrow evening for an opportunity to tie the best of three series which determines the New York Penn League Championship.

MCU's main level buzzed with idle chat as the Egg Cream Society* waited under cover in a steady mist.  Some of the patient faithful used the rain delay to grab a bite or to just cajole with friends.  Meandering around I got to thinking of years past and summers by the seaside.  I got to thinking about past characters in the Club's employ who with time are fading into something of a lure.  Ten years of existence may not seem like a long enough time to create a legend or a frame of reference like "the-good-ol-days" is it?

I say yes.  When I'm taking in a game here, I am in a different place. I am.  There's something magical for me and this setting on the seaside.

There was the first; an incredible first season for the Baby Bums and us.  We flocked to the park like "bugs" to the light; by the thousands.  And I was proud of that.  We still blow away the attendance records.  But in 2001 there was a Brett Kaye home run that provided insurance for the Cyclones as they beat our Verrazano Bridge rival and neighbors, in the playoffs on our way to a Championship; that rival being the Staten Island Yankees.  That moment, was, dare I over-use the word, magical. 

There were characters like Party Marty the original on-field MC; since gone under dubious circumstances..(or so I heard).  We can't forget when Sandy the Seagull came down from the nest high a top the Coney Island landmark Parachute Jump.  Pee Wee came later remember?  Pee Wee...?  Yea, I have a secret crush on Pee Wee.  Shhh.

There were others like the Band in the Sand.  I liked them.  I thought they were one of the better ideas roaming around the park.  They got discontinued though.  In the stands, Monkey Lady and Party Paddy were always in attendance.  They were always crowd favorites.  Oh yea!  This wouldn't be complete if we didn't mention Nicky Cowbell.  That would be a tremendous disservice indeed.  His Cowbell keeps the fans in cadence.  Today we have the Juggling Vendor.  That kid is good!  He's a vendor, he juggles and rides a unicycle..., sometimes all at the same time.

Through the years there have been very good teams and playoff contenders for BKN.  Players and playoff memories have also carved themselves little places in our hearts that remain today.  Angel Pagan is one of them for me personally.  He was a 2001 Cyclone standout. 

But the beach, the breeze, fireworks nights, strolling the Boardwalk, the attractions of Coney Island and our Roller Coaster..., Nathan's...all make for something like a retro"Grease" movie for my wife and me..  I find it that special.  And so...I think there are some things about my experience here with this team that CAN be described as nostalgic, and becoming part of the Coney Island Nine's lure. Yea!  Sure.

I also took the opportunity to give you another tour of the place.
Enjoy the pics folks, from Misty MCU Park.

Surf Avenue and West 17 Street

Looking down Surf Avenue towards Stillwell Avenue.

Cyclones' ticket office on Surf Avenue.

Main Gate and stairs to Main Level.

The On-Deck Circle

check out the vid to get a 360 degree view of MCU Park, Brooklyn.

Backman's Boyz find shelter in the dugout.

James Schroeder, left ~ Juan Centeno, right

Center field 412 feet.  Atlantic Ocean beyond the wall.

left field view ~ right field view

Coney Island Playground beyond the LF wall.

The Astroland Tower,

The Cyclone Roller Coaster and Wonder Wheel

rise from the Seaside like Titans.

Crowd Favorites; the On-Field MC and The King;

Two more members of Team Cyclones.

Suite Levels and Retired Numbers

Brooklyn Dodgers Retired By the Cyclones

Cyclones commemorate Brooklyn's 1955 Championship

right under Warner Fusselle's CATBIRD SEAT.

When the game was finally called,

it was time to go and the last of us emptied out.

Hey Mister, you dropped something!

The dugout emptied as there was no ball to be played today.

And time for me to go home too.

Game Two

New York Penn League Championship

Coney Island, Brooklyn

7 pm

Mike.BTB