Brooklyn Cyclones Blank Winston-Salem to Clinch Division Flag

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

II - BKN 5; WSD 2

III - BKN 6; WSD 0

IV - BKN 3; WSD 0

Brooklyn Cyclones Clinch First-Ever South Atlantic League Division Flag

With Brooklyn shutting out the Winston-Salem Dash for a second straight game and the Hudson Valley Renegades bowing to the Blue Rocks at Wilmington, the Cyclones clinched the South Atlantic League North Division second-half flag.

Starter Jeffrey Colon hurled a gem.  Making his third start (sixth appearance) for Brooklyn, the right-hander surrendered a mere three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts for his first win as a Cyclone.  Colon faced 22 batters while throwing an economical 68 pitches, with an effective 69.1% (47) going for strikes.  

Serving as Coney's primary closer down the stretch, Daison Acosta tossed two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with one walk and two strikeouts for his tenth save this season.

Winston-Salem starter Luis Moncada matched Colon pitch for pitch but exited with a no-decision after allowing three hits and no walks with three strikeouts over five scoreless innings.  

Dash reliever Haylen Green pitched into and out of trouble in the sixth.  But things went away for Green in the seventh.  With one out, DH Joe Suozzi homered to left field.  With runners on the corners, Alex Ramirez singled home Shervyen Newton, and Jose Peroza knocked home Matt Rudick, giving the Clones a 3-0 lead and their final margin of victory.

Friday night marks Brooklyn's fourth straight win against the Dash, highlighted by back-to-back shutouts.  The Clones are now winners of six in a row and 14 of their last 16 games and improved to a second-half best 40-24 (.625) record and a 70-60 mark overall.

Two games remain in the regular season.  Afterwhich, the Cyclones will take on the first-half champ Aberdeen Ironbirds in the first-round North Division playoff.

Amazin' Starts Here! #LGM Playoff baseball returns to Coney Island - Can You Dig It?!! https://t.co/VWkE7Qq9DM

— The Metsian Podcast with Sam, Rich and Mike (@THEMetsianPod) September 10, 2022

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Third Straight at Winston-Salem

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

II - BKN 5; WSD 2

III - BKN 6; WSD 0

Look What the Cyclones Did to the Dash, Again

Brooklyn opened with three runs in the first inning, and starter Dominic Hamel 

made it stand.  Designated hitter Carlos Rincon doubled home two runs and scored on Stanley Consuegra's single to left field.  Afterwhich, Hamel limited the Dash to four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts through the seventh.  

Hamel faced 25 batters, throwing 97 pitches with 64 (65.9%) going for strikes.  Making his eleventh start with Brooklyn, he improved to 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA.  

The Cyclones added late insurance.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton and Matt Rudick 

knocked home a run in the eighth, and Stanley Consuegra capped off the scoring with an RBI single in the ninth.  

Right-hander Sammy Tavarez yielded no hits and one walk with two strikeouts over the final two innings to preserve the shutout.

That makes three straight wins against Winston-Salem and 13 in their last 15 games.  Hudson Valley shut out the Blue Rocks at Wilmington to remain 1.5 games behind the Cyclones, who now own a magic number of two with three games left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Open Final Series With Victory Over Winston-Salem Dash

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Winston-Salem

I - BKN 6; WSD 2

Better Late Than Never; Cyclones Extend Lead Over Renegades

With Brooklyn making their first-ever visit to Truist Stadium, North Carolina, starter Christian Scott was treated to a rude welcome by the Dash.  After falling behind in the first, Jose Mena singled home JT Schwartz in the top of the second.  But Winston-Salem went ahead again in the bottom half of the frame.  

Despite retiring six of his next seven batters faced, Scott exited after allowing five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings.  

Afterwhich, the bullpen held the Dash scoreless over the final five frames.  Right-hander Trey McGloughlin followed with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball, Nolan Clenney went unscathed through the eighth, and Nathan Lavender hurled a scoreless ninth.

Their efforts were rewarded starting in the seventh when shortstop Shervyen Newton and Matt Rudick delivered home a pair, Stanley Consuegra doubled home a run in the eighth, and Newton smashed a two-run home run in the ninth - his eighth this season.

Brooklyn wins their third consecutive game.  Coupled with Hudson Valley's loss against Wilmington, the Cyclones now own a 1.5 game lead ahead of the Renegades with five games left to play.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Defeat Wilmington But Gain No Ground

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Wilmington vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 2; WIL 1

II - WIL 11; BKN 7

III - BKN 9; WIL 1

IV - WIL 1; BKN 0

V - BKN 2; WIL 1

Cyclones Limit Wilmington to Three Hits; Keep Heat on Hudson Valley Renegades

Despite eleven hits, the Cyclones mustered only two runs, but the pitching made it stand.  Shortstop 

Shervyen Newton singled home a run in the second, and after Wilmington tied the game in the top of the fifth, JT Schwartz drove in the game's decisive run in the bottom of the frame.  Starter Jeffrey Colon was relieved after yielding the tying run.  He allowed two hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.  Right-hander Sammy Tavarez followed with 2.1 scoreless innings for the win, and Daison Acosta closed the game with two scoreless innings of no-hit ball for his ninth save.  Up at Dutchess County Stadium, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws were drubbed by the Renegades, who get to spend another night with a half-game lead ahead of the Cyclones, with just seven games left in the season.  Boxscore

Chase for the SAL North Division 2nd half flag continues ... Brandon Nimmo bobblehead .. Coney Island .. Can You Dig It?! Let's Go Cyclones #LGM pic.twitter.com/e2YiC28pnG

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) September 3, 2022

Brooklyn Cyclones Complete Sweep at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4

III - BK 8; JS 5

IV - BK 7; JS 5

V - BK 8; JS 3

VI - BK 18; JS 1

Cyclones Wipe Out Jersey Shore

Brooklyn wrapped up their business at Jersey Shore with a rout of the BlueClaws.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton cleared the bases in the second with a three-run double.  The Cyclones added four in the third on Stanley Consuegra's two-run dinger and runs batted in by Matt O'Neill and Matt Rudick for a seven-run lead.  Third baseman William Lugo followed with a three-run home run in the fourth.  

Afterwhich, the tide went out on the rest of Jersey Shore's pitching.  The Cyclones scored seven times in the fifth inning on three hits, five walks, and a hit-by-pitch, then tacked one more run for good measure in the visitor's ninth.  Lugo was the big man on campus, going 4 for 6 with four runs batted in and four runs scored.  Newton was 3 for 4 with two walks, a double, four runs batted in, and two runs scored, and catcher Matt O'Neill had three runs batted in.

Starter Keyshawn Askew walked the bases loaded in the first inning and, with two outs, was removed from the game.  Into the fray entered Nathan Lavender, who secured out number three.  Lavender continued to hurl three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball with seven strikeouts.  The Blue Claws spoiled the shutout against Jeffrey Colon in the sixth.  Otherwise, Colon allowed three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over the final five innings.  Lavender earned the win, and Colon the save.  Together, Brooklyn limited the BlueClaws to four hits, and three walks, with 17 strikeouts to complete the series sweep at ShoreTown Ballpark.  BOXSCORE

Up at Dutchess County Stadium, the Hickory Crawdads blew a 6-4 lead through the fifth.  Hudson Valley answered with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh en route to a 9-7 win.  The 'Gades retain its half-game lead over the Cyclones with only two series and twelve games left in the season.  The Aberdeen Ironbirds lost at Wilmington to fall 2.5 games back of the Renegades.  If the Renegades or Cyclones win the second-half flag, they will meet the first-half champs from Aberdeen.

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Third Straight at Jersey Shore

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4

III - BK 8; JS 5

Nolan Clenney Slows Jersey Shore's Roll 

Brooklyn won a much-needed third straight game against Jersey Shore.  They got no help from the Hickory Crawdads.  Thus Hudson Valley remains a one-half game ahead of the Cyclones, who now own second place to themselves, as the Aberdeen Ironbirds bowed to Wilmington.

The Cyclones opened with a four-run second inning.  First baseman JT Schwartz homered, and 

Shervyen Newton, Matt Rudick, and the Mets' Eduardo Escobar each drove in runs.  The 'Clones scored again on an error in the third, and Jose Peroza singled home a run in the top of the fourth to give Coney Island a 6-0 lead.  Jersey Shore countered with three in the home fourth and one in the fifth.  Afterwhich, the teams traded single runs in the sixth, staking Brooklyn to a 7-5 lead.  

Shortstop Shervyen Newton continues to be the big man on campus, hitting his third home run in as many games in the eighth; it was his seventh with Brooklyn and his eleventh overall.  

Making his third start, Christian Scott escaped with a no-decision after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings.  Right-hander Franklin Sanchez gained the victory despite allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in 2.1 innings pitched.  

The real hero of the game was Nolan Clenney, who yielded three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over the final three innings for the save.  BOXSCORE

• Rehabbing from a strained oblique, New York Mets infielder Eduardo Escobar started at shortstop and finished 2 for 4 at the plate, with one run batted in and one run scored.

Brooklyn Cyclones Outlast Jersey Shore BlueClaws in Extra Innings

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

II - BK 5; JS 4*

*10 innings

Resilient Cyclones Win in Tenth Inning

The Cyclones and BlueClaws played a barnburner at ShoreTown Ballpark.  

With two outs and two runners on base in the top of the first, right-fielder Stanley Consuegra singled home the game's opening run.  In a presage of things to come, Jersey Shore answered with two runs in the home third.  After a scoreless fourth inning, shortstop Shervyen Newton homered to left field with catcher Matt O'Neill on base.  But Brooklyn's slim lead did not last, as the BlueClaws tallied a run in the home sixth facilitated by a Matt O'Neill throwing error.  

The deadlock then remained unchanged through the eighth.  

Both starting pitchers exited to no decisions.  Brooklyn's Junior Santos allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings.  Jersey Shore southpaw Rafael Marcano yielded three earned runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings.

Cyclone right-hander Dylan Hall delivered 2.1 scoreless innings of no-hit baseball with two strikeouts to complete the eighth.  Two BlueClaw relievers joined in tossing 3.0 innings of one-hit ball with six strikeouts.

Then came the ninth.  Stanley Consuegra homered over the left field wall leading off the visitor's half.  Manager Rivera then summoned from the bullpen right-hander Daison Acosta to close.  But the game was again tied with a leadoff hit, a walk, and two sacrifice plays later.

In the top of the tenth, with Matt O'Neill, the ghost runner at second, Shervyen Newton singled, putting runners on the corners.  O'Neill then scored on Matt Rudick's sac-fly to right, giving Brooklyn a 5-4 lead.

Daison Acosta again climbed the bump.  With the ghost runner on base, Acosta fanned the first batter faced, then issued an intentional walk, followed by an unintentional four-pitch walk that loaded the bases.  Acosta regrouped to strike out the next batter, then ended the game on a groundball 3 to1 putout at first base for the win.

The Cyclones held on for another crucial win.  They've re-achieved par with a 58-58 season record and improved to 28-22 in the second half.  Wednesday night's victory keeps Brooklyn on pace with first-place Hudson Valley, who still lead the division by one-half game, and Aberdeen, who again defeated Wilmington to remain tied in second place with Coney Island.

Brooklyn Cyclones Shut Out Jersey Shore in Series Opener

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

Brooklyn vs. Jersey Shore

I - BK 7; JS 0

Cyclones Gain a Full Game on Hudson Valley

Coney Island secured a crucial victory Tuesday night at Jersey Shore.  Coupled with Hudson Valley's loss against the Hickory Crawdads, the Cyclones pulled to within one half-game of the first-place Renegades.  Meanwhile, Aberdeen had their way with Wilmington to remain tied with Brooklyn.

Making his third start for Brooklyn, southpaw Keyshawn Askew allowed three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings for his first win as a Cyclone.  In his third appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Jeffrey Colon took care of the rest, tossing three scoreless innings of no-hit ball over the final three innings to preserve the shutout and earn the save.

Shortstop Shervyen Newton struck the decisive blow in the second inning, a two-run home run over the left/center field fence.  The score remained unchanged until JT Schwartz scored on a fielder's choice in the sixth.  For good measure, Alex Ramirez doubled home two runs, and Schwartz doubled home another as part of a four-run ninth inning for a 7-0 margin of victory.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Retake First Place With Victory Over Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - HVR 7; BKN 4

II - BKN 7; HVR 5

Coney Island Strikes Back!

The Cyclones set the tone of this game with a three-run second inning.  With one out and the bases loaded, Matt O'Neill singled home a run, shortstop Shervyen Newton drew a walk to force home a second run, and Jaylen Palmer scored on Matt Rudick's sac-fly to center.  The teams traded runs in the third inning.  Third baseman Tyler Hardman homered for Hudson Valley, and William Lugo drove in a run for Brooklyn.  Second baseman Jose Peroza then singled home a run in the fifth, and William Logo homered off the left field scoreboard in the seventh.

Jose Peroza and William Lugo joined together for six hits in eight at-bats, with two extra-base hits, three runs batted in, and three runs scored.

Making a spot start in only his second appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Jeffrey Colon allowed a run (home run) on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings.  Right-hander Nolan Clenney followed with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with two strikeouts.  Making his third appearance with Brooklyn, southpaw Keyshawn Askew hurled three scoreless innings through the eighth but encountered trouble, yielding three runs in the ninth.  Afterwhich, Daison Acosta was called upon to close out the frame.  Another base runner crossed home, making it a 7-5 Cyclone lead.  Acosta then put the tying run on base with a walk.  Finally, at 9:57 pm, Daison Acosta struck out designated hitter Spencer Henson to end the game.  Nolan Clenney gets the win.  BOXSCORE

With the victory, the Cyclones retake first place by one half-game over the Hudson Valley Renegades.  

Brooklyn Cyclones Undone By Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Hudson Valley vs. Brooklyn

I - HVR 7; BKN 4

Hudson Valley Slams the Brakes on Brooklyn; Seize First Place

The North Division showdown is on!  However, the opening fray did not go the Cyclones' way.  After jumping out to a 4-0 lead with pairs of runs in the third and fourth innings, Brooklyn's bats suddenly went silent.  They generated just two hits over the final five frames.  Meanwhile, Hudson Valley erupted for five decisive runs in the top of the fifth, then sealed the deal with two more in the eighth for a 7-4 game one victory.  The Renegades now enter Wednesday's game with a half-game lead over the Cyclones.

Left fielder Matt Rudick went 3 for 5, and shortstop Shervyen Newton finished 2 for 4 with a run batted in and one run scored.  

Right-hander Dominic Hamel sustained his first loss since joining the Cyclones, allowing five earned runs on five hits and five walks with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched.  The Renegades tacked on two runs against right-hander Dylan Hall in the eighth.

Brooklyn Cyclones Go Down Quietly in 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

Junior Santos Gets Knocked Around; Blue Rocks Even Series

The Cyclones were limited to just four hits in Friday's contest, two of which came in the third inning when William Lugo and Alex Ramirez generated Brooklyn's lone run of the game.  Left fielder Matt Rudick and Shervyen Newton accounted for the 'Clones only other hits.  The lineup drew for walks and fanned eleven times.  Starter Junior Santos was knocked around for five runs on ten hits, including a two-run home run in the sixth, and Justin Courtney fared no better, allowing two runs on a hit and three walks in 1.1 innings.  However, the Cyclones maintain their first-place standing as the Aberdeen Ironbirds blanked the Hudson Valley Renegades ten to zero.

Brooklyn Cyclones Bow to Wilmington Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

FRAWLEY STADIUM

Brooklyn vs. Wilmington

I - WIL 9; BKN 3

Cyclones Can Not Recover From Early Deficit

After a half-hour rain delay, Brooklyn starter Oscar Rojas issued a walk to the first batter he faced, and two doubles later, the Blue Rocks owned a prompt 2-0 lead.  

An error by the shortstop Shervyen Newton in the second inning helped the Rocks to a third run, and Oscar Rojas was dispatched to the showers.  After a scoreless third, Wilmington manufactured a run in the fourth for a 4-0 lead.

Despite wielding ten hits, the Cyclones were held scoreless through the fifth.  Catcher Jose Mena's hit finally got Brooklyn on the board in the sixth.  Brooklyn then appeared to put this game back up for grabs with two runs in the top of the eighth.  Third baseman William Lugo doubled home a run, and Jose Mena delivered home another, cutting Brooklyn's deficit to one.

However, their confidence was quickly shattered in the bottom of the eighth.  The Cyclones suffered a bullpen implosion as right-hander Nolan Clenney surrendered five runs on three hits and three walks to put the game out of reach.

• BOXSCORE

The Cyclones were not without their chances.  They had runners on the corners with one out in the first and stranded them.  Brooklyn loaded the bases with one out in the second, leaving them stranded again.  With two outs in the third and Stanley Consuegra poised at second, the Cyclones failed to come up with a clutch hit.

With Tuesday's loss, the Cyclones' overall record falls back under .500 but, more importantly, they slip to second place in the second-half standings, one-half game behind the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Brooklyn Cyclones Take Third Straight Contest From 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

V - BKN 3; WSD 1

Cyclones Now Hold 1.5 Game Lead Over Hudson Valley and Aberdeen 

Make that three in a row ...

After yielding twelve runs in the first two games to Winston-Salem, Brooklyn's pitching has since limited the Dash to just a pair of runs over the last 27 innings.

Saturday's mound matchup featured Cristian Mena for the visitors pitted against Junior Santos for the Coney Islanders.  

The teams traded runs in the opening frame.  Shortstop Colson Montgomery tripled and scored in the top half, and in Brooklyn's turn, designated hitter Nic Gaddis singled home the tying run.

In the home second, with one out and base runner Shervyen Newton poised at first base, recent graduate 

Gregory Guerrero connected on a two-run home run - his first in four games since arriving from the Port St. Lucie Mets.

The score remained unchanged over the final six and a half innings of play.  Making his 19th start, right-hander Junior Santos allowed one run on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts to earn his sixth win.  Right-hander Daison Acosta closed the game with two scoreless innings to earn his fifth save.

Brooklyn now owns a 3-2 series edge in their first-ever contests against Winston-Salem, with the finale slated for Sunday.  Afterwhich the Cyclones will have exactly thirty games left on their schedule.  The final series of the season is against the Dash at Winston-Salem.

Hudson Valley lost both games of a doubleheader against Jersey Shore, giving the first-place Cyclones a 1.5-game lead over Hudson Valley and Aberdeen in the South Atlantic League North Division.

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 Shut Out the Greensboro Grasshoppers

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Greensboro vs. Brooklyn

I - BKN 6; GRB 5

II - BKN 9; GRB 0

Cyclone Pitchers Join Together on Four-Hit Shutout

The hits were plentiful, and the pitching was superb as the Brooklyn Cyclones won their second straight game in their first-ever series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Right fielder Stanley Consuegra doubled home Brooklyn's first run in the third inning, and the pitching made it stand.  Making his ninth start and fifteenth appearance, right-hander Garrison Bryant allowed no runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings for the win.  He faced twenty batters, throwing 83 pitches with 52 (62.6%) going for strikes.  Garrison improved to 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA.  Right-hander Daison Acosta closed out the game allowing one hit and one walk in three scoreless innings for his second save.

Left fielder Matt Rudick knocked home a run in the fifth, Nic Gaddis scored on a wild pitch in the sixth, and Consuegra doubled home his second run of the game in the seventh.  The Cyclones then erupted for five runs in the eighth, highlighted by Stanley Consuegra's three-run home run.  Stanley finished the afternoon 4 for 5 with three doubles, a home run, and five runs batted in; Matt Rudick went 2 for 4 with two runs batted in; Shervyen Newton was 3 for 4 with one RBI and three runs scored.

• Boxscore

Brooklyn Cyclones Win Second Straight at Hudson Valley

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

IV - BKN 6; HVR 2

Cyclones Even Series With Hudson Valley

Second-half pitching continues propelling the Cyclones forward.

With two out in the top of the second, catcher Jose Mena singled, delivering home two runs, and in the fourth, Nic Gaddis scored on a fielder's choice giving the Cyclones a 3-0 lead.

Afterwhich, it was a matter of Brooklyn holding on.

Brooklyn right-hander Garrison Bryant held the Renegades scoreless through the fifth.  But in the sixth, Hudson Valley tallied twice to pull within one.

The score remained unchanged through the eighth inning.  Brooklyn then added a trio of insurance runs in the ninth.  Shortstop Shervyen Newton doubled home a run, and JT Schwartz connected on a two-run home run to right/center field.

JT Schartz and Jose Mena accounted for four hits and four runs batted in, and Nic Gaddis finished with two hits and two runs scored.

Making his seventh start and thirteenth appearance, Garrison Bryant allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings.  He improved to 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 53.1 innings pitched, all with Brooklyn.

In only his third appearance with Brooklyn, right-hander Nate Jones negotiated a three-inning save.  He faced ten batters, yielded no hits and one walk, and fanned three.

With Friday's victory, the Cyclones even the series at two.  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

Hudson Valley Renegades Take Second Straight From Brooklyn Cyclones

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY

I - HVR 5; BKN 2

II - HVR 8; BKN 5

Cyclones Lose Second Straight at Hudson Valley

Brooklyn got off to a good start.  Of course, it's how you finish that matters.

Left fielder Matt Rudick drew a walk to open the game, and Shervyen Newton was hit by a pitch.  Afterwhich, designated hitter Nic Gaddis delivered both runners with a home run to left field.

After two scoreless at-bats, the Renegades caught up to starter Mike Vasil with three hits and two runs in the third and another three hits and three runs, including a home run in the fourth.

Shervyen Newton doubled home a run in the fifth, and Mike Rudick homered in the top of the seventh to tie the game at five.

However, right-hander Nolan Clenney yielded three runs in the bottom half of the seventh.

Renegade reliever Ryan Miller won the game in relief of starter Matt Sauer, and Nelson Alvarez 

converted a five-out save.

Making his sixth start with the Cyclones, Mike Vasil escaped with a no-decision while Nolan Clenney took the loss.  

Four of the Cyclones' six hits went for extra bases, but they only drew two walks and struck out ten times.

Mike Vasil's earned run average continues to grow after posting a 1.80 mark in eight starts and 35.0 innings with St. Lucie.  He presently sports a 5.40 ERA through 28.1 innings since being promoted to Brooklyn. 

Brooklyn Cyclones Drop Opener Against Hudson Valley Renegades

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. HUDSON VALLEY

I - HVR 5; BKN 2 

You guessed it ... the curse of Wappingers Falls endures.  

The Cyclones are back at Dutchess Stadium, where they've become notorious for wielding minimal hits, much less seeing-eye ground balls or even foul tips.  Tuesday evening proved no different.  Despite being issued seven bases on balls, Brooklyn mustered a mere three hits and again recorded double-digit strikeouts against the Renegades.

First baseman JT Schwartz, shortstop Shervyen Newton, and second baseman Jose Peroza who tripled home Brooklyn's only two runs, accounted for Brooklyn's only hits.

Right-hander Junior Santos allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts in five innings pitched for the loss.  Right-handed reliever Daison Acosta allowed a run on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts over the final three innings.

Brooklyn Cyclones Continue Handcuffing 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

V - BK 6; JS 2

Cyclones Take Third Straight From Blue Claws

Brooklyn pitching continued dominating the Blue Claws on Saturday at Coney Island. 

Making his sixth start and his twelfth appearance, right-hander Garrison Bryant allowed two runs on five hits (solo home runs in the first and sixth innings) and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings for his third win of the season.  

Afterwhich, the Cyclone bullpen continued its excellence during this series.  Right-hander Nolan Clenney yielded just one hit, and one walk with a strikeout over two innings pitched, and Grant Hartwig 

closed out the ninth with two strikeouts in a non-save situation.

With two outs and two runners in scoring position in the home first, right fielder Tanner Murphy singled to left field, delivering home two runs.  Then with no outs and the bases loaded in the fourth, shortstop 

Shervyen Newton singled home one run, and with two outs, Matt Rudick singled, driving home two.  Third baseman Jose Peroza doubled home Newton in the eighth to close the scoring.

• Boxscore