Looking to rebound from a tough three-game road trip to Tri-City, where the team fell by one run, the Brooklyn Cyclones (41-34) stayed alive for hopefully one more game with a 11-3 victory over the Staten Island Yankees.
Catcher Adrian Abreu in a photo taken earlier in the season, had a monster game for the Cyclones on 8/31/14. Photo by: Stacy Podelski
With the Connecticut Tigers defeating the Lowell Spinners early on in the day, it was up to Brooklyn to get a big victory at MCU Park to keep the hopes for a Wild Card Spot int the New York-Penn League Alive. Due to the tough road trip against the ValleyCats the Cyclones are locked up with the Tigers for the Wild Card, and there will be several scenarios that can all be played out on September 1.
Brooklyn needed to win first and they got exactly what they needed as starter Alberto Baldonado (3-4) had one of his biggest starts of the year, going five innings, striking out seven batters, walking one and giving up one run, which was earned. Baldonado pounded the strike zone, which kept the Staten Island offense off balance.
The Cyclones offense looking for redemption after a tough series with the ValleyCats responded in a big way, as the team was able to record 11 hits, with Michael Conforto and Adrian Abreu leading the way with three hits each.
Abreu had the monster night for Brooklyn, as the Catcher who is playing for the team banged up, drove in four runs-three of those on a homer in the bottom of the third inning that helped to lift the offense. Adrian also had an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Iron Man Jhoan Urena had a big day for the team, playing under the weather the Third baseman drove in two runs, one of them on an RBI double in the bottom of the third.
Brooklyn was also glad to welcome back to the offense Tomas Nido, who had an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning and found a spark in JC Rodriguez who had an RBI Triple in the bottom of the second.
Carlos Valdez, Eddie Villasmil and Brandon Welch all did well from the Pen for the Cyclones, as the trio combined for four strikeouts.
The victory sets up a thrilling season series finale for both the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Connecticut Tigers who are both hoping to play on September 1, though the forecast is saying there is a chance of rain. The most ideal scenario for fans of the Brooklyn Cyclones is a victory over Staten Island as the two rivals will meet at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Monday, as well as a loss by the Tigers to the Lowell Spinners.
A second scenario for fans of Brooklyn is that if the Tigers are Rained out, and the Cyclones are able to get a win on the road that means a Wild Card spot for the team. The Final Scenario is a Connecticut loss and Brooklyn getting rained out.
Brooklyn will have starter Casey Meisner (4-3, 4.08 ERA) on the hill in the regular season finale, as he will battle Staten Island righty Sean Carley (1-3, 6.30 ERA). The game is slated for 7:00 p.m.
No matter what the stars will have to align for this team, who has fought and clawed their way into fans hearts over the summer. The Cyclones had to battle through much adversity and showed a ton of heart and character, do stay tuned to see if somehow this team can conjure up a postseason play and some more great baseball action at MCU Park.
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Brooklyn Cyclones Manager Tom Gamboa
For more information on the Brooklyn Cyclones and to pick-up tickets for any potential postseason play all fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/home/