Brooklyn Cyclones Even Their Series With Winston-Salem Dash

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Winston-Salem vs. Brooklyn

I - WSD 4; BKN 2

II - WSD 8; BKN 0

III - BKN 5; WSD 1

IV - BKN 2; WSD 0

Cyclones Hurl Six-Hit Shutout; Claim Share of First Place

Three Brooklyn pitchers joined together in hurling a six-hit shutout over Winston-Salem on Friday to even their first-ever series against the Dash at two games apiece.

The Cyclones mustered just four hits all game but timed them perfectly.  With one out in the second, center fielder Stanley Consuegra tripled and scored on Jose Peroza's double to center field, and with one out and the bases loaded in the third, catcher Juan Loyo scored on a fielder's choice giving the Cyclones a two-run lead.  Designated hitter Rowdey Jordan and Juan Loyo accounted for Brooklyn's other two hits.

Starter Keyshawn Askew and the bullpen took care of the rest.  

Making his first start with Brooklyn after thirteen appearances and four starts with the St. Lucie Mets, southpaw Keyshawn Askew limited the Dash to three hits, and no walks with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings but did not qualify for a decision.  Right-handed reliever David Griffin surrendered just two hits with four strikeouts in 3.2 innings for the win - his second of the season, and Dylan Hall closed out the game with a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout and earn his third save.

This was Brooklyn's 100th game in which they posted an even 50-50 record.  Friday's victory gives the Cyclones a 20-14 second-half record, tying them for first place in the South Atlantic League North Division with the Hudson Valley Renegades.

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.

Brooklyn Cyclones Come Up Short Against the 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

Greensboro Grasshoppers Notch First-Ever Victory Against Brooklyn Cyclones

Brooklyn got things going when Rowdey Jordan scored on an E-6 in the first.  In the second, center fielder Jaylen Palmer scored on a fielder's choice, and Jose Peroza's two-run home run in the third staked starter Luis Moreno to a 4-1 lead after three.  The score remained unchanged until the sixth, when Greensboro pulled within two.  Making his sixth start with Brooklyn, Luis Moreno exited on the winning side after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk in 5.2 innings.  The Grasshoppers tallied once against reliever Brendan Hardy in the seventh.  Facing Justin Courtney in the top of the eighth, Grasshopper designated hitter Abraham Gutierrez struck the decisive blow, a three-run home run to left/center.  Second baseman Nic Gaddis tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the ninth, but the Cyclones would tally no more.  Luis Moreno escaped with a no-decision while Justin Courtney blew the save and took the loss.  BOXSCORE

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 Dismantle Bowling Green Hot Rods

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Bowling Green

I - BK 11; BG 9

II - BG 8; BK 0

III - BG 5; BK 1

IV - BK 20; BG 6

They Did The Mash ...

The Cyclones took out their season-long frustrations Friday night against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

Right fielder Joe Suozzi homered, leading off the first.  After Rowdey Jordan homered leading off the second, Suozzi delivered home two more runs, and Nic Gaddis, in turn, drove home Suozzi for a 5-0 Brooklyn lead.

Bowling Green scored once in the bottom of the third, then rallied for four runs in the fourth, tying the game at five.

Starter Daison Acosta allowed five runs on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts before being relived after the fourth.

Catcher Matt O'Neill homered, leading off the home fifth.  Gaddis again delivered home Suozzi giving the Cyclones a 7-5 lead.  Afterwhich, center fielder Jaylen Palmer connected on a three-run home run.

But the Cyclones were only warming up.  The Brooks posted ten runs in the top of the sixth on six hits and four walks, a hit by pitch, and an error.  With one out, designated hitter Brandon McIlwain homered to left/center with two on.  It was the Cyclones' fifth home run of the game. 

Coney Island cranked out 20 runs on 19 hits, with seven going for extra bases.  They drew six walks and struck out ten times.

Right-hander Brendan Hardy pitched two innings in relief of Acosta for the win and Grant Hartwig 

pitched the final three frames with four strikeouts for the save.

Hudson Valley Renegades Out-Duel Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

II - BKN 5; HVR 4

III - HVR 3; BKN 1

Matt Sauer Pitches a Dandy; Renegades Claim First Win of Series

The Cyclones dropped a tightly contested pitcher's duel Thursday evening, and the Renegades claimed their first victory of the series.

Hudson Valley starter Matt Sauer was stellar, allowing just one run on three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over 7.1 innings pitched for the win.  Right-hander Alex Mauricio yielded one hit and struck out three batters over the final 1.2 innings for his second save.

Brooklyn was limited to just four hits, a single by Wilmer Reyes, Rowdey Jordan, and Matt O'Neill each doubled, and right fielder Joe Suozzi homered in the sixth for Brooklyn's lone run of the game.  The Cyclones drew just one walk and struck out a dozen times as a team.

Starter Garrison Bryant surrendered two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts through five innings pitched for the loss.

BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Series Opener From Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 5; HVR 3

That's More Like It!

Based on how this series has been playing itself out these last two seasons, I couldn't be happier.  Any victory against the Hudson Valley Renegades with more than three hits and under ten strikeouts makes for a glorious day!  Oh, the joy!

Brooklyn jumped out to an early lead.  Left fielder Rowdey Jordan singled and scored on Shervyen Newton's double to right field in the third inning.  Hudson Valley tied the game in the top half of the fifth.  But Brooklyn rallied for three runs in the home half of the frame.  Center fielder Jaylen Palmer 

homered leading off, and Jose Mena and Matt O'Neill followed with run-scoring doubles for a 4-1 Cyclones lead they would not relinquish.  The Renegades scored twice more in the seventh, but the Brooks secured an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame for a 5-3 lead and the final margin of victory.

Of the Cyclones' seven hits, five went for extra bases.  They drew five walks and fanned "just" seven times.

Making his first start in nine appearances, Nolan Klenney held the Renegades scoreless on three hits and one base on balls with a pair of strikeouts over four innings pitched but walked off to a no-decision.  Right-hander Colby Morris surrendered a home run but earned the win with two innings in relief of Klenney, and Hunter Parsons picked up the save with a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.

Boxscore

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.

Brooklyn Cyclones Suffer Bullpen Implosion Against Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington leads Brooklyn; 1-0

I - WIL 12; BKN 5

Jesus Vargas Masterpiece Defaced By Bullpen

Tuesday's series opener against Wilmington featured an outstanding performance by Cyclones starter Jesus Vargas who pitched five perfect innings before yielding a leadoff hit in the sixth.  Afterwhich, Vargas retired the next three Blue Rocks batters consecutively.  He faced 19 batters, throwing 72 pitches with 44 (61.1%) going for strikes, and issued no walks while striking out eight through six innings pitched.  Jesus Vargas exited on the winning side of a 3-0 affair.

Right-hander Nolan Clenney took over pitching duties in the seventh and promptly surrendered a run in a portent of things to come.  The Cyclones scored twice in the bottom of the frame for a 5-1 lead.  But Nolan Clenney, in the eighth, walked the first two batters he faced and was relieved by Colby Morris, 

who loaded the bases with a walk and then yielded a bases-clearing double by designated hitter Drew Mendoza.  Brooklyn's third reliever Brendan Hardy fared no better, allowing three runs on four hits.  Wilmington would post ten runs on just four hits and six walks in a disastrous eighth inning implosion.  

Not yet done, the Blue Rocks scored again in the ninth for a 12-5 lead and their final margin of victory.

First baseman JT Schwartz finished 3 for 5 with a run batted in, and Rowdey Jordan went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a pair of runs batted in.  Together they accounted for half of Brooklyn's ten hits.  Meanwhile, the lineup struck out another dozen times.

Colby Morris was charged with both a blown save and a loss.

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Series Opener From Bowling Green Hot Rods

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Brooklyn leads Bowling Green; 1-0

I - BK 5; BG 4

Cyclones Stage a Thriller at Coney Island 

Down by a run entering the ninth, Brooklyn rallies for the tying and winning runs to seize their series-opening game against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

The Hots Rods took a prompt 1-0 lead in the first, and the score remained unchanged until the fourth inning.  First baseman JT Schwartz led off the frame with a double and scored on right fielder Brandon McIlwain's triple to left.

However, Bowling Green retook the lead on second baseman Ronny Simon's two-run home run in their next at-bat.

The teams then traded single runs in the sixth.  With two outs and the bases jammed, shortstop Wilmer Reyes singled home JT Schwartz, but Brandon McIlwain was thrown out at home to end the threat.

Brooklyn closed to within one when Rowdey Jordan singled and scored in the seventh on a fielder's choice. 

Then, into the home ninth, they go ...

Leading off, Rowdey Jordan is hit by a pitch; catcher Matt O'Neill reaches on an E6; and JT Schwartz draws a walk to load the bases.  Brandon McIlwain bounces into a fielder's choice; Bowling Green throws out the lead runner at home.  With one out and the bases still loaded, designated hitter Jose Mena singled to left field, scoring O'Neill and Schwartz for the win.

Starter David Griffin escapes with a no-decision, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks with six strikeouts in five innings pitched.  Right-hander Josh Hejka pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention they struck out 15 times.

Let's Go Cyclones!

Brooklyn Cyclones Get One-Hit in Shutout Loss at Hudson Valley

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Hudson Valley leads Brooklyn; 3-2

I - HVR 5; BKN 3

II - BKN 4; HVR 3

III - HVR 5; BKN 1

IV - BKN 6; HVR 4

V - HVR 2; BKN 0

This is Like Being Perplexed by a Bugs Bunny Slow Ball, and It's Not Funny ...

One, two, three strikes, you're out!

There's no doubt Hudson Valley knows how to bring out the worst in Brooklyn hitters.  They've done it time and again.  This is just a continuation of last season.  Thus I remain unchanged in my opinion: the Cyclones' indefatigable ability to swing and miss so frequently is learned, instructional, wholly organizational, and for me personally, mind-numbingly confounding.

In Tuesday's series opener, the Cyclones struck out 17 times.  They somehow managed to win Wednesday's game despite striking out 18 times.  Then on Thursday, the Renegades limited Coney Island to one run on just two hits(!) and three walks with another 14 strikeouts.  Brooklyn participated in a more normal contest on Friday, then came Saturday night's ponderous outcome at Wappingers Falls.

Thank you, Rowdey Jordan, for leading off the game with a clean base hit to right field.  Because that would turn out to be Brooklyn's only hit of the game.  Three other batters managed a base on balls, and one reached on a catcher's error.  Otherwise, nary a hit from anyone not named Rowdey, as three Hudson Valley Renegade pitchers join together for nine innings of ONE-HIT shutout ball with 15 strikeouts.

• BOX

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.