Brooklyn Cyclones Win Pressure-Packed Thriller at Wilmington

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

FRAWLEY STADIUM

Brooklyn vs. Wilmington

I - WIL 9; BKN 3

II - BKN 8; WIL 1

III - BKN 7; WIL 6*

IV - WIL 7; BKN 1

V - WIL 4; BKN 2

VI - BKN 6; WIL 5

Cyclones Stage Ninth-Inning Comeback; Retake First Place

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

Winston-Salem Hurls Two-Hit Shutout Over Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Winston-Salem vs. Brooklyn

I - WSD 4; BKN 2

II - WSD 8; BKN 0

Thank Goodness for Jose Peroza

Winston-Salem won their second straight against the Cyclones.  

Four Dash pitchers joined in limiting Brooklyn to just two hits, both by third baseman Jose Peroza - a single in the second and a double in the ninth.  

All other Cyclone batters remained hitless.  They drew five walks but struck out thirteen times.  Center fielder Alex Ramirez donned the golden sombrero with four strikeouts.  

Making his ninth start for the (trade deadline) pitching-depleted Cyclones, Oscar Rojas allowed two hits in three scoreless innings.  Left-hander Cam Opp didn't fare as well, allowing six runs on six hits, including a pair of two-run home runs, in 1.2 innings for the loss.  Right-hander Justin Courtney also surrendered a two-run home run in the eighth.

As a result of Wednesday's loss, Brooklyn fell out of first place in the second-half standings.  Hudson Valley now leads the Cyclones by one-half game.

It was also the last Camp Kids Day of the season ... and hot.

What an all-around lousy day on Coney Island.

Brooklyn Cyclones Even Series With 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

Cyclones Even Series With Strong Pitching and Timely Hitting

Making his fourth start since being promoted from the St. Lucie Mets, right-hander Dominic Hamel 

faced off against Josue Panacual for Hudson Valley.  The pitchers engaged in a scoreless duel through the fifth.  

But after Brooklyn posted a trio of runs, Hamel and the bullpen made them stand.  

Shortstop Shervyen Newton homered leading off the sixth, and Nic Gaddis followed with two runs batted in.  Dominic Hamel completed six innings, allowing a mere four hits and two walks with six strikeouts.  He faced 23 batters, throwing 79 pitches with 52 (65.8%) going for strikes, and improved his record to 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. 

The Cyclones scored twice in the ninth for good measure.  Right fielder Stanley Consuegra and 19-year-old Alex Ramirez each knocked home a run.

Right-hander Oscar Rojas yielded Hudson Valley's first and only tally in the seventh, a solo home run by left fielder Grant Richardson.  Afterwhich, southpaw Nathan Lavender, making his sixth appearance with Brooklyn, secured the final six outs, three via strikeout, for his second save.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Sizzle in Ninety-Degree Day at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

BK 10; JS 4

Cyclones Mid-Game Eruption Wipes Out Jersey Shore

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

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

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

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

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

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Second Straight from Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

II - BKN 5; HVR 4

Coney Island Wins Two in a Row Against Bronx Affiliate

Coney Island defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades in a second straight game.  

Renegades starter Will Warren and Brooklyn's Oscar Rojas opened with three scoreless innings.  Warren issued a bases-loaded walk to force home the game's first run in the top of the fourth.  The Cyclones then erupted for five runs in the bottom half of the frame.  Right fielder Brandon McIlwain, Wilmer Reyes, and Branden Fryman drove in a run apiece, and Jaylen Palmer doubled home a pair.

Afterwhich, it was a matter of holding on.  Hudson Valley scored a single run in the sixth and two more in the eighth inning but would score no more.

In a no-decision effort, Oscar Rojas allowed one run on three hits and four walks with two strikeouts over 3.2 innings.  Right-hander Sammy Tavarez followed with 2.1 innings pitched for the win.  Rehabbing from injury and making his first-ever appearance with the Cyclones, Jordan Yamamoto 

allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched, and Justin Courtney secured the last four outs for his fourth save this season.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Even Series With Bowling Green

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Bowling Green vs. Brooklyn; 2-2

I - BK 5; BG 4

II - BG 4; BK 1

III - BG 7; BK 6

IV - BK 3; BG 1

Cyclones Even Series With Hot Rods; Cam Opp Picks Up Three Inning Save

Bowling Green designated hitter Osleivis Basabe led off the game with a double to left field and scored on Diego Infante's base hit through the left side with one out.

But Brooklyn was quick to respond.  With one out and the bases loaded in the home half of the first, Jose Mena's double to left field gave Brooklyn a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.  They picked up an insurance run when Tanner Murphy doubled leading off the fifth, advanced to third, and scored on a wild pitch.

Starter Oscar Rojas and two relievers posted goose eggs over the game's final eight innings.  Rojas earned the win after allowing the lone run on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.  Right-hander Reyson Santos recorded an out to close out the sixth inning, and southpaw Cam Opp picked up the rare three-inning save.  The three together allowed seven hits and four walks with eight strikeouts.

Cyclones hitters drew six walks this game and batted 8 for 31 (.258) with six extra-base hits but were 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position and continued striking out (eleven) in double-digits.

Coney Island gets back over the .500 mark with a 10-9 record and evens the series with Bowling Green.

Brooklyn Cyclones Get "Rowdey" at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Hudson Valley; 2-2

I - HVR 5; BKN 3

II - BKN 4; HVR 3

III - HVR 5; BKN 1

IV - BKN 6; HVR 4

Coney Island Evens Series With Fishkill Nine

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

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

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

  

Hudson Valley Renegades Slam Brakes On Brooklyn Cyclones Three Game Win Streak

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN @ HUDSON VALLEY

I - HV 7; BK 6

II - BK 4; HV 0

III - BK 10; HV 8

IV - BK 6; HV 4

V - HV 4; BK 1

Look What The Renegades Did To The Cyclones ... Again!

Hudson Valley brings Brooklyn's three-game win streak to a skidding halt.  In yet another instance among so many this season, the Cyclones are limited to four hits (or less) en route to a 4-1 defeat at Wappingers Falls. 

First baseman Luke Ritter with one out in the fourth, homers off Renegade starter Anderson Munoz

cutting Brooklyn's deficit to three.  But the Cyclones would score no more.  Designated hitter Francisco Alvarez accounts for half of Brooklyn's four hits, including a double and Luis Gonzalez doubles.

Making his fifth start for Brooklyn, right-hander Oscar Rojas allows four runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks in suffering his third loss.  Pitching in relief of Rojas, Nolan Clenney yields two hits and strikes out three over 2.1 scoreless innings.

Brooklyn batters draw three walks, strike out 13 times, and go 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.  

Sometimes I feel like Jack Nicholson in The Shining ... All Strikeouts And No Hits Make Baseball A Dull Game. all strikeouts and no hits make baseball a dull game.  AlL sTrIkEoUtS aNd No HiTs MaKe BaSeBaLl A dUlL gAmE.

• BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Lose Series Opener Against Aberdeen Ironbirds

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

TUESDAY
Ironbirds 8

CYCLONES  1

FINAL

Feel the Breeeeze!

• BOXSCORE: GAME #18

Don't ask me how the Cyclones are not leading the High-A Division in strikeouts.  It sure as hell seems that way.  But they're close, just nine away from the Ashville Tourists.  The good news at least they're fourth in team OPS and just happened to be tied with the Aberdeen Ironbirds for fourth-most runs after Tuesday's action.

So much for that ...

Opening their fourth series of the young season, the Cyclones welcome old foe, the Aberdeen Ironbirds, who inflict all their damage against starter Oscar Rojas and Bryce Montes de Oca.  Rojas allows six runs on eight hits, including a home run by right fielder Zach Watson in just three innings pitched.  Oca surrendered two runs on three hits and two walks in two innings.  

Brooklyn, this game struck out another twelve times.  They're averaging 11.7 strikeouts through 18 games.  Right fielder Zach Ashford fanned the breeze with a team-leading three whiffs.  

Antoine Duplantis drives in the lone Cyclones run in the fifth scored by second baseman Anthony Walters.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win First Home Game in a Rout Over Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGER

Renegades and Cyclones tied; 1-1

I - HVR 4; BKN 3

II - BKN 14; HVR 0

Four Cyclones Pitchers Join Together to Hurl a Gem

Coney Island makes up for their Opening Day loss with a dominating performance in game two.  

• BOXSCORE 5/19/21: Game #13

Starting with Oscar Rojas, four Cyclones pitchers join together in limiting the Hudson Valley Renegades to just five hits over nine scoreless innings.  Rojas yields three hits in four innings; Allan Winans earns the win with two scoreless innings, followed by another two scoreless frames pitched by Bryan Metoyer, and Bryce Montes de Oca allows a hit and strikes out one in a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout.  

Hudson Valley goes 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position, whereas the Cyclones are 8 for 19 while leaving an equal seven runners on base.  Brooklyn hitters erupt for 14 runs on 14 hits, with seven going for extra bases.  Three runs in the third, five in the sixth, and six more runs in the seventh, and that's all she wrote.

Brett Baty leads the charge going 4 for 5 with a double, stolen base, and four runs batted in.  Center fielder Jake Mangum and second baseman Anthony Walters each drive in two runs apiece.  Joe Genord is 3 for 5 with a double, triple, and three runs scored.  

• Brooklyn Cyclones
• Hudson Valley Renegades

Brooklyn Cyclones Muster Little in First Defeat at Greenville

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Greenville; 2-1

I - BKN 6; GVL 1

II - BKN 3; GVL 2

III - GVL 8; BKN 2

Coney Island Swings and Misses in Game Three

The Greenville Drive score early, often, and late en route to a commanding 8-2 victory over the visiting Cyclones at Fluor Field, South Carolina.  Greenville starter Chris Murphy faces 20 batters, allowing just three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched for the victory.  All told, three Drive pitchers limit Brooklyn to a pair of late runs on six hits and four walks with 15 unacceptable strikeouts.  Meanwhile, four of five Cyclones pitchers are scored upon.  Starter Oscar Rojas surrenders four runs (two home runs), three earned, on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts through only 3.2 innings pitched.  Brooklyn bats 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.  Left fielder Antoine Duplantis accounts for two of Brooklyn's six hits.  Center fielder Jake Mangum connected on his first home run, a two-run shot scoring Duplantis.  

• BOXSCORE: Thursday, May 14, 2021

Brooklyn Cyclones: Early Losses Take Back Seat to Historical Context

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

COUNTDOWN TO OPENING DAY

10

Look What Asheville Did to Coney Island's Nine, Again!

The first few games of the season are leaving no room for debate.  The respective winners are going about their business with conviction.  After Brooklyn's decisive season-opening victory on Tuesday, Asheville has since more than doubled Coney Island's output, outscoring them by a 30-12 margin.  Two more weekend games remain against the Tourists.

Josh Walker pitched a gem to open the season, yielding no runs, no hits, with one walk and eight strikeouts.  However, over the next three games, Brooklyn starting pitchers have joined together for an unsightly 20.25 earned run average, allowing 18 runs on 17 hits and eight walks with eleven strikeouts over a mere 9.0 innings pitched.

• GM2: Jose Butto - 3.2 innings, three hits, four runs, three walks, five strikeouts.
• GM3: Oscar Rojas - 2.1 innings, five hits, seven runs, two walks, three strikeouts, two HR.
• GM4: Jason Vilera - 3.0 innings, nine hits, seven runs, three walks, three strikeouts, two HR.

But we must keep in mind these kids haven't played regularly in about twenty months.  That being said, welcome to an elevated level of play (for some, not all).

Asheville leads Cyclones; 3-1

I - BKN 8; ASH 2

II - ASH 6; BKN 1

III - ASH 11; BKN 4 

IV - ASH 13; BKN 7

On Friday, Asheville scored early and often.  They owned a 7-1 lead after two and a 10-3 lead after four.  By the sixth, they had amassed all 13 runs.  Brooklyn finally made things somewhat interesting with a run in the seventh and three in the eighth to no avail.

• SS - Ronny Mauricio: 3 for 5 with two doubles, home run, four runs batted in.
• 3B - Brett Baty: 2 for 4, two runs batted in.
• 1B - Joe Genord: 2 for 4, third Cyclone with multiple hits.
• LF - Matt Winaker: three runs scored.

Depending on your personal level of intensity, these are nonetheless historical games.  In ten more days, the Cyclones will become the first team to play professional baseball during May in Brooklyn since the Dodgers last played in 1957 at Ebbets Field.  Regardless of the outcomes (for now ...), embrace the return of Spring baseball in Brooklyn.  In the meantime, as we await their arrival back in Coney Island, historic McCormick Field is a very nice and rather appropriate place to start this new narrative.

Brooklyn Cyclones Drop Second Straight at Asheville

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

THE DEFENDING 2019 NYPL CHAMPIONS

Asheville leads Brooklyn; 2-1

I - BKN 8; ASH 2

II - ASH 6; BKN 1

III - ASH 11; BKN 4

Long Ball: Advantage Tourists

Brooklyn pitchers receive no quarter, as the Asheville Tourists score early and often en route to a commanding 11-4 victory in game three of their season-opening series at historic McCormick Field.  Starter Oscar Rojas is knocked out of the box in the third upon yielding seven earned runs on five hits and two walks.  Tourists' second baseman Luis Santana homers off Rojas in the first and again in the third.  In relief of Rojas, right-hander Nick McDonald surrenders another three runs, two earned, on five hits over two innings.  Brooklyn's returning left fielder Antoine Duplantis connected on Brooklyn's third home run in as many games.  In the role of the designated hitter, Brett Baty goes 2 for 3 with a double and run batted in.  First baseman Joe Genord and right fielder Matt Winaker each drive in a run apiece.

• BOXSCORE: Brooklyn 4; ASHEVILLE 11