Wilmington Takes Thrill Out of Coney Island Nine; Cyclones Shut Out on Three-Hitter

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

WILMINGTON @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 5; WIL 0

II - Rained Out

III - WIL 6; BRK 0

IV - BRK 10; WIL 1

V - WIL 4; BRK 0

Three Wilmington Pitchers Join for Three-Hit Shutout Victory; Series Tied at Two 

After two scoreless innings, Wilmington erupts for four runs on five hits, with two going for extra bases.  Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie yields all four runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts through 2.1 innings pitched.  Hunter Parsons, Michel Otanez, and Brian Metoyer hold the Blue Rocks to just one hit and no walks, with ten strikeouts, but their efforts go for naught out of the bullpen.  Led by Wilmington starter Cole Henry, the Blue Rocks limit the Cyclones to three hits and five walks in a combined shutout effort.  Right fielder Jaylen Palmer, Zack Ashford, and Luis Gonzalez account for Brooklyn's only hits.  The Cyclones draw five walks but again strikeout in double-digits (ten) and bat 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.  Second baseman Luke Ritter fans three times and leaves five runners on base.  With the win, Wilmington draws even with the Cyclones; the series finale is scheduled for Sunday.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn's Alec Kisena Finally Earns Well Deserved Win; Cyclones Take Series Lead Against Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

WILMINGTON @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 5; WIL 0

II - Rained Out

III - WIL 6; BRK 0

IV - BRK 10; WIL 1

ALEC KISENA WINS FIRST DECISION SINCE MAY 8; FRANCISCO ALVAREZ HITS HOME RUN NUMBER EIGHTEEN

What the Cyclones failed to achieve on Thursday, they more than make up for in Friday's game. 

Starting for Wilmington, southpaw Mitchell Parker is opposed by Alec Kisena for Brooklyn.  

After two scoreless innings, the Cyclones strike for five runs in the third.  In consecutive at-bats, Antoine Duplantis, Jaylen Palmer, Ronny Mauricio, Francisco Alvarez, and Jose Peroza each drive in runs.  Mitchell Parker is naturally dispatched to the showers and replaced with left-hander Alfonso Hernandez who holds Brooklyn scoreless over the next 2.2 innings.  

Meanwhile, Alec Kisena yields his first and only run in the visitor's fourth.  After six innings pitched, he departs on the winning side, having yielded three hits with three strikeouts.  Brooklyn then erupts for another five runs in the bottom half of the sixth.  Francisco Alvarez ignites the rally with a leadoff home run.  Second baseman Luis Gonzalez joins the fray with two runs batted in.  After which, Duplantis and Palmer drive home their second runs of the game, respectively, giving the Surf Avenue sluggers a 10-3 lead.

Right-hander Colby Morris pitches a scoreless seventh and eighth, and Evi Ruibal, in a non-save situation, twirls a scoreless ninth with a strikeout.  The beleaguered Alec Kisena wins only his second decision for the Cyclones against nine losses with a reduced 4.74 ERA.  His first win came back in his first start of the season on May 8 against Asheville.  So, congratulations to him ...  

The Coney Island trio limits the Blue Rocks to one run on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts.

While the Cyclones draw only four walks and strike out twelve times, they achieve double-digit hits and bat 7 for 11 with runners in scoring position.  Antoine Duplantis leads with three hits.

Through 72 games and 238 at-bats as a member of the Cyclones, Francisco Alvarez now has 17 home runs and 52 RBI along with an above .500 slugging average.  Including fifteen games at Port St. Lucie, Alvarez has 18 home runs and 64 RBI through 87 games and 286 total at-bats.  BOXSCORE

Jaylen Palmer's Two Home Runs Power Brooklyn Cyclones in Series Opening Win Over Wilmington Blue Rocks

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

WILMINGTON @ BROOKLYN

I - BRK 5; WIL 0

David Griffin, Brian Metoyer, and Willy Taveras Join Together in Five-Hit Shutout of Ironbirds

With remnants of Tropical Depression Ida headed New York City's way, Tuesday was still a mighty fine day at the beach.  

Right fielder and native New Yorker Jaylen Palmer homers in the first inning, and Brooklyn pitchers effectively take care of the rest.  

With two outs in the fourth, Francisco Alvarez draws a walk, steals second, then scores on third baseman Jose Peroza's hit to left field.  With one on in the home fifth, Jaylen Palmer hits his second home run, and Francisco Alvarez singles home Ronny Mauricio, giving the Cyclones a 5-0 lead and the final margin of victory.

Brooklyn pitchers collectively put forth a stellar effort.  Making his fourth start for Brooklyn, right-hander David Griffin faces 27 batters, throwing 87 pitches with 59 (67.8%) going for strikes.  He allows four scattered hits and two walks with two strikeouts over seven scoreless innings pitched for the win - his second with the Cyclones.  Right-hander Brian Metoyer throws a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts and making his eleventh appearance for Brooklyn Willy Taveras earns his fourth save.

Wilmington right-hander Seth Shuman surrenders all five runs on seven hits and two walks in a losing effort.  BOXSCORE

Brooklyn Cyclones Skid Hits Five as Wilmington Blue Rocks Take Series Finale

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN vs. WILMINGTON; 1-5

I - BRK 16; WIL5

II - WIL 15; BRK 3

III - WIL 5; BRK 4

IV - WIL 7; BRK 4

V - WIL 1; BRK 0

VI - WIL 12; BRK 5

Brooklyn Twirlers Stoned by Blue Rocks

If you recall, right-hander David Griffin did not experience the most joyous of Brooklyn debuts.  In his first start for the Cyclones, Griffin allowed seven runs, but only four earned nine hits and three walks in just 3.2 innings pitched.  Making his second start on Sunday, Griffin yields three runs, but again only one is earned, on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in three innings pitched.

After twirling three scoreless innings, Wilmington starter Mitchell Parker surrenders a home run to Francisco Alvarez, and then with the bases loaded, Nick Gaddis singles home Jeremy Vasquez 

and Jose Peroza tying the game at three.

Wilmington greets incoming Cyclone pitcher Hunter Parsons in the home half of the fourth with five runs on three hits and two walks before ever making an out.  Pitching in relief of Parsons, a hurried Josh Hejka surrenders one more run before the frame is through.

Outside of single runs in the fifth and eighth innings, it is a deficit from which the Cyclones do not recover.  The Blue Rocks post one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh en route to a commanding 12-5 victory, their fifth straight win against Brooklyn.  Wilmington wins the series five games against one.  The season series now stands at 10-8 in favor of Coney Island. 

Through 61 games and 204 at-bats as a member of the Brooklyn Cyclones, catcher Francisco Alvarez (2 for 4, with two runs scored) now has fifteen home runs, giving him 46 runs batted in.  As a member of the Cyclones, he entered Sunday's action batting .240 with a .335 OBP, which I would agree are somewhat subpar while striking out in 30.8% of his at-bats.  However, he began Sunday slugging .520 and ended the day batting .245 with a .912 OPS and no strikeouts.

Jeremy Vasquez is the only other Cyclone with multiple hits, including a double.  

Hunter Parsons takes the loss in relief of David Griffin, who escapes with a no-decision.

Slightest of Mistakes Prove Costly In Brooklyn Cyclones Fourth Consecutive Loss at Wilmington

From the desk: THE CONEY ISLAND NINE

BROOKLYN trails WILMINGTON; 4-1

I - BRK 16; WIL5

II - WIL 15; BRK 3

III - WIL 5; BRK 4

IV - WIL 7; BRK 4

V - WIL 1; BRK 0

Taking One For The Team; A Hit By Pitch Leads to the Winning and Only Run of Saturday's Game.

FOR BASEBALL'S BUGS AND CRANKS, AN OTHERWISE OLD-FASHIONED (TEAM-EFFORT) PITCHING DUEL.

BOXSCORE

In a scoreless game and one out in the home sixth, facing Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie, Wilmington center fielder and leadoff batter Armond Upshaw is hit by a pitch.  He steals second and promptly advances to third on an errant throw by catcher Jose Mena.  Upshaw then scores on Jack Dunn's fielder's choice to second base.

Home plate at Frawley Stadium this evening is not to be crossed again.

Brooklyn starter Luc Rennie allows the aforementioned run on just three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.  He faces 22 batters while throwing 87 pitches with 53 (60.9%) going for strikes but unfortunately exits on the losing side of a one-run affair.  Righ-hander Brian Metoyer allows no hits and fans two in 1.1 innings, and Joe Cavallaro closes the game with a scoreless ninth.  All told, Brooklyn pitchers surrender just four hits, no walks, and strike out eight.

Deadlocked at zero, Blue Rock starter Evan Lee exits to a no-decision after working five scoreless innings.  He faces just one batter over the minimum while allowing one hit and no walks with eight strikeouts.  Blue Rock southpaw and game-winning pitcher Alex Troop tosses two scoreless innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts, after which right-hander Todd Peterson closes the game with two scoreless innings one-hit ball for the save.  

The Cyclones achieve just two hits, draw no walks, fan twelve times, and finish 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.  Right fielder Jaylen Palmer and first baseman Jeremy Vasquez (double) account for Brooklyn's hits.

After Brooklyn's series-opening win, Wilmington has since taken four straight.  However, the Cyclones still own a 10-7 advantage in the season series, including a June six-game sweep of the Blue Rocks.

Brooklyn Cyclones Complete Series Sweep Over Wilmington Blue Rocks

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

 

BROOKLYN defeats WILMINGTON; 6-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

II - BRK 5; WIL 3

III - BRK 10; WIL 2

IV - BRK 5; WIL 4

V - BRK 8; WIL 3

VI - BRK 5; WIL 4

Boardwalk Bums Extend Winning Streak to Season-High Six Games

Brooklyn kicks off Sunday afternoon's series finale with a four-run first inning.  Center fielder Antoine Duplantis, who remains hot as the sun, triples leading off the game and scores on Edgardo Fermin's ground-rule double over the left field wall.  Back behind the plate, Francisco Alvarez doubles home Fermin.  The hit parade continues with Jeremy Vasquez driving home Alvarez.  Vasquez then scores the Cyclone's fourth run on a throwing error by the Blue Rock first baseman.

Wilmington begins immediately chipping away at Brooklyn's lead.  Facing starter Luc Rennie, the Blue Rocks score single runs in the second and fourth innings highlighted by left fielder Jeremy Ydens' home run.  Luc Rennie departs the game after four on the winning side of a 4-2 game.  Wilmington picks up their third run in the fifth against reliever Joe Cavallaro, then ties the game at four against Colby Morris in the seventh.

Cyclone right-hander Willy Tavaras pitches a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.  Edgardo Fermin leading off the bottom of the frame, draws a walk.  With one out, he steals second base, then advances to third on a wild pitch.  With two outs, Jeremy Vasquez is issued an intentional walk putting runners on the corners.  Second baseman Luis Gonzalez then seizes the role of hero with the game-winning base hit through the left side, scoring Fermin from third.  Willy Tavaras earns the win.

Accounting for half of Brooklyn's hits, Luis Gonzalez goes 3 for 5, and Antoine Duplantis likewise goes 3 for 5 with a double and triple.  Francisco Alvarez now has 27 RBI in 45 games with Brooklyn.

The Cyclones complete their first series sweep this season and extend their season-high winning streak to six.

• BOXSCORE

Little Bit of Everything in Brooklyn Cyclones Second Straight Win Over Wilmington Blue Rocks

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN leads WILMINGTON; 2-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

II - BRK 5; WIL 3

Francisco Alvarez Hits Second Three-Run Home Run In As Many Days; Teammates Have Willie Tavares' Back In Win Over Wilmington Blue Rocks

Team Overcomes Several Costly Fielding Errors

After three scoreless innings, the Cyclones breakout with three runs in the fourth.  With Cody Bohanek stationed at second, and Ronny Mauricio trailing at first, Francisco Alvarez launches his second three-run home run in as many days giving Brooklyn a 3-0 lead.

Cody Bohanek and Ronny Mauricio shortly team up again but for the wrong reason.  With two outs in the top of the fifth, errors by Mauricio then Bohanek lead to Wilmington's first run.  After issuing his third walk, manager Blankmeyer removes starter Cam Opp favoring Mitch Ragan, who closes out the Blue Rock's fifth.  Otherwise, making his eighth start, the Cyclone southpaw allows no earned runs on just two hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 4.2 innings while exiting on the winning side of a 3-1 affair.

Mitch Ragan completes a scoreless top half of the sixth.  Ronny Mauricio singles leading off the bottom half, and with Francisco Alvarez at the plate, Wilmington executes a strike-em-out, throw-em-out, double-play.  In turn, Blue Rock starter Alfonso Hernandez completes his sixth inning of work, yielding three runs on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.

Right-hander Willie Tavares enters the game in the seventh for Brooklyn and retires Wilmington in order.  But that's where his luck runs out.  With one out and one on base in the top of the eighth, right fielder Jacob Rhinesmith connects off Tavares for a two-run home run tying the game at three.  However, Wilmington's glee is fleeting, as Brooklyn answers with two runs in the Cyclone eighth; Antoine Duplantis and Cody Bohanek each drive home runs for a 5-3 lead.

Big 6'7", 265 lbs., right-hander Bryce Montes de Oca is tasked by manager Blankmeyer with pitching the ninth inning.  But things do not start well.  An error by Jeremy Vasquez at third and a walk put the tying runs on base.  Out one comes on a pop-up in which the infield fly rule is invoked; the runners stay put.  The next batter strikes out swinging on four pitches.  Afterwhich, Montes de Oca catches the final batter looking at strike three to end the game, preserve the win, and earn his third save this season.  Willie Tavares escapes with the win, Cam Opp a no-decision. 

• BOXSCORE

From the desk: John From Albany 👍

• Right-hander Connor Grey's near no-hitter this past Saturday against Jersey Shore earned him a promotion to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies where he rejoins former Cyclone teammates Brett Baty and Jose Butto.  In another move, Josh Hejka says goodbye to Coney Island and hello to Syracuse. 

STUFF:

• I wish all the recent Coney Island graduates well, as I do all my Brooklyn backyard alumni.  Obviously, as a Mets fan, I like seeing the kids climb the organizational ladder.  However, as a Cyclones fan, I love getting first dibs on these players, and sometimes it's hard seeing them leave.
• Antoine Duplantis is way more competent, and clutch than his .254 average might lead some to believe.
• For 19-year old catcher/DH Francisco Alvarez, home run number nine (w/ BK) with 26 RBI.

Francisco Alvarez Powers Brooklyn Cyclones In Series Opener Against Wilmington

From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

BROOKLYN leads WILMINGTON; 1-0

I - BRK 8; WIL 6

Francisco Alvarez Turns Game Around With Three-Run Knock; Ronny Mauricio Drives Home Three

Wilmington returns to Coney Island and wastes no time getting on the board against starter Jaison Vilera for two runs in three hits in the first and two more runs on another three hits in the second.  

But the Surf Avenue sluggers get their pitcher off the hook with a five-run outburst in the third.  First baseman Joe Genord scores on a fielder's choice, Ronny Mauricio drives home a run, and Francisco Alvarez caps off the frame with a three-run home run.  

Mauricio drives home two more runs during a three-run fourth.  

Jaison Vilera exits on the winning side of an 8-4 game, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts through five for the win, his second this season against five losses with a ghastly 8.24 ERA.  

The bullpen yields two runs over four innings pitched with six strikeouts.  Right-hander Josh Hejka earns the save.

• BOXSCORE

Road Trips 2017: Wilmington Blue Rocks

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE

8/6/2017

Sunday morning, breakfast - I suggested we go somewhere new instead of staying in Baltimore for another game.  The wife knew right then check-out was imminent.  It just so happened the Wilmington Blue Rocks were playing an early game.  But there was no fooling her.  She knew I planned it the whole time.  A perfect pit stop on the way home, I thought.  The wife ... let's just say Timothy's restaurant on the river walk made her day.

Daniel Frawley Stadium

Kansas City Royals (Class-A) Affiliate

The Wilmington Blue Rocks originally existed as a Class-B affiliate:

1940 - 1943  Philadelphia Athletics

1944 - 1952  Philadelphia Phillies

Judy Johnson

Enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame

1975

Road Trip Connections

"Considered the finest third baseman of his days in the Negro Leagues ..."

Judy Johnson is also commemorated at Pittsburgh's PNC Park 

for his service with the Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays.

aka Judy Johnson Field

Baseball styled sign atop scoreboard acknowledging 

Judy Johnson Field