Brooklyn Cyclones Bow in First-Ever Match Against Winston-Salem Dash

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Winston-Salem vs. Brooklyn

I - WSD 4; BKN 2

The first ever game played between the Winston-Salem Dash, and Brooklyn Cyclones goes to the visitors from North Carolina.  The Dash opened with a run in the first inning in a hotly contested match.  Not until the fourth inning did the Cyclones tie the game.  But Winston-Salem reestablished a lead with two runs in the sixth and one more in the eighth.  Brooklyn did threaten in the ninth.  Brooklyn right fielder Stanley Consuegra singled home a run to bring the 'Clones within two.  But with two outs and runners on the corners, up to the plate stepped young Alex Ramirez, who struck out to end the game.  Right-hander Luis Moreno gave up three runs on nine hits, including two home runs, in 5.2 innings for the loss.

Good luck to pitchers Nick Zwack and Carson Seymour, who on Tuesday were both traded to the Giants.  Thank you for your time in Brooklyn!

Brooklyn Cyclones Hold Off Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Hudson Valley

I - HVR 10; BKN 2

II - BKN 6; HVR 2

III - HVR 5; BKN 2

IV - BKN 5; HVR 1

V - BKN 7; HVR 5

Brooklyn Stages Hit Parade In Wappingers Falls; 'Clones Take Series Lead

Brooklyn held on for a second straight victory at Hudson Valley and now own a 3-2 advantage in the series.  Second baseman Rowdey Jordan and Nic Gaddis scored in the first inning.  Jordan then tripled home a pair of runs in the fourth, and Joe Suozzi tripled home a run and scored in the top of the fifth for a 6-0 lead.  Hudson Valley finally caught up with starter Nick Zwack in the bottom half of the frame and cut Brooklyn's lead by half.  After a scoreless sixth and seventh, center fielder Stanley Consuegra 

homered in the eighth, giving the Cyclones a 7-3 lead.  After having pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, Nolan Clenney climbed the mound again in the ninth but this time yielded a two-run home run by left fielder Grant Richardson to pull the Renegades within two.  But Brooklyn would hold them there, as Justin Courtney secured the final out to earn his sixth save.  Southpaw Cam Opp earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Nick Zwack.  Rowdey Jordan finished 3 for 5 with a triple and two runs batted in.  Third baseman Jose Peroza also went 3 for 5 with a double and one run batted in.  Three other Cyclones wielded multiple hits as part of Brooklyn's 14-hit attack.

THE METSIAN PODCAST: Subway Series Sweep & Trade Deadline Huddle w/ Ernest Dove

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

@THE_SamMaxwell   @MetFanRich   @BTB_MikeII

@THEMetsianPod

⚾

GUEST

Sports Reporter/Analyst for SPORTANARIUM.COM

Covering the St. Lucie Mets

ERNEST DOVE

Double, double toil and trouble; summer burns, and dog days bubble.  After two losses against the Padres, the resilient Mets responded with a dramatic takedown of the New York Yankees in the subway series.  They thus reestablished a three-game lead over the second-place Atlanta Braves.  Alas, what will prove to be a wild second half of the season is excitedly underway.  With the trade deadline now less than a week away, it's up to the general manager to reinforce the team and fortify their division standing.  Assisting the Metsian Podcast in detailing the Mets' minor league commodities at Billy Eppler's disposal and plotting a potential course of action will be, hailing from the Sunshine State, baseball reporter, and analyst Ernest Dove. 

SUBWAY SERIES SWEEP!

Brooklyn Cyclones Win First-Ever Series Against Greensboro Grasshoppers

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Greensboro vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 6; GRB 5

II - BKN 9; GRB 0

III - GRB 6; BKN 5

IV - GRB 2; BKN 1

V - BKN 6; GRB 2

VI - BKN 5; GRB 1

Consuegra Powers Cyclones; Pitching Takes Care of the Rest

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones 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

Nick Zwack Hurls Gem in Brooklyn Cyclones Victory Over Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Aberdeen vs. Coney Island

I - ABD 3; BKN 1

II - BKN 4; ABD 2

Nick Zwack Fans Ten of Twenty-One Batters Faced

Brooklyn did their scoring early, while Aberdeen tallied their runs late.  But the visitors fell short as the Cyclones evened their series with the Ironbirds at one apiece.

Southpaw Nick Zwack hurled a gem, limiting the Ironbirds to a mere two hits and one walk with ten strikeouts in six innings for the win.  He faced 21 batters, throwing 80 pitches with a highly efficient 59 (73.7%) going for strikes.  Zwack improved to 3-1 with a minuscule 1.37 ERA and 0.848 WHiP.

The Ironbirds injected some intrigue into the game during the final two frames.  But right-hander Daison Acosta held it together, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts for a nine-out save.

Leading off the home half of the first inning, left fielder Matt Rudick connected on his second home run of the season, and recently promoted Stanley Consuegra doubled home a pair, giving the Cyclones a prompt 3-0 lead.  Catcher Nic Gaddis then homered leading off the third inning.  Boxscore

Brooklyn Cyclones Claw Back at Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY

I - HVR 5; BKN 2

II - HVR 8; BKN 5

III - BKN 6; HVR 1

Cyclone Twirlers Best Hudson Valley Hurlers

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

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

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

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

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

and spoil the shutout.

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

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Outlast Jersey Shore Blue Claws

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BATTLE OF THE BEACHES

Jersey Shore vs. Coney Island

I - BK 4; JS 3

II - JS 5; BK 3

III - BK 3; JS 1

IV - BK 2; JS 1

Another Close Call at Coney Island

In yet another tightly contested affair, the Cyclones outlasted the Jersey Shore Blue Claws to seize a second straight victory and a 3-1 series lead.

Leading off the home third, catcher Jose Mena opened the scoring with a home run, his third this season.  Center fielder Jaylen Palmer then singled home Brooklyn's second run in the fourth.  The Cyclones were otherwise limited to five hits but once again made them count.

Brooklyn pitching took care of the rest.

Making his eighth start with Brooklyn, southpaw Nick Zwack yielded no runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts for the win.  He faced 19 batters over five innings, throwing 94 pitches with 63 (67%) for strikes.  

Making only his second appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Nate Jones allowed one run (home run) on four hits and no walks in 2.2 innings pitched, and Sammy Tavarez notched a four-out save, his fifth this season.

Brooklyn Cyclones: Pitching Wins the Day at Wilmington

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Wilmington

I - WIL 6; BKN 5

II - BKN 4; WIL 2

III - WIL 9; BKN 5

IV - BKN 3; WIL 2

V - WIL 4; BKN 3

VI - BKN 1; WIL 0

VII - BKN 4; WIL 1

Brooklyn Sweeps Saturday Twin Bill

Game one featured a fine pitching duel at Frawley Stadium between Brooklyn starter Nick Zwack and left-hander Mitchell Parker for Wilmington.  Zwack yielded no runs on four scattered hits, and no walks with three strikeouts through six innings.  He faced 21 batters and threw 82 pitches, with 53 (64.6%) going for strikes.  Parker completed seven innings, allowing three hits and three walks with five strikeouts.  Both pitchers exited the game to no decisions.  Cyclone right-hander Justin Courtney threw a scoreless bottom half of the seventh inning, and into extra innings, the teams went.  Facing Blue Rock right-hander Amos Willingham in the top of the eighth, phantom runner Shervyen Newton advanced to third base on Matt Rudick's leadoff base hit.  Left fielder Rowdey Jordan followed with a single to center knocking home the go-ahead run.  Justin Courtney then retired the Blue Rocks to earn the win.  

• Boxscore

In a make-up game from May 12, the Cyclones utilized the long ball in completing a Saturday twin bill sweep over the Blue Rocks.  Wilmington grabbed an early lead with a first-inning home run.  First baseman JT Schwartz knocked home the tying run in the third, and designated hitter Nic Gaddis 

followed with a two-run home run giving the Cyclones a 3-1 lead.  Right fielder Tanner Murphy 

homered in the fourth, giving Brooklyn a 4-1 margin of victory.  Brooklyn right-hander Garrison Bryant allowed one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts through six innings for the win.  Grant Hartwig pitched a scoreless seventh out of the pen with two strikeouts for his fifth save.

• Boxscore

Frawley Stadium, Wilmington

Brooklyn Cyclones Sizzle in Ninety-Degree Day at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

BK 10; JS 4

Cyclones Mid-Game Eruption Wipes Out Jersey Shore

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

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

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Withstand Late Wilmington Rally for the Win

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn; 1-1

I - WIL 12; BKN 5

II - BKN 5; WIL 4

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

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

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

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

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

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