NYPL Brooklyn Cyclones

Cyclones Waste Late Inning Rally, Fall 9-8 in 11

Published on June 30, 2016 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Brooklyn Cyclones News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - For the fifth time in 13 games, the Cyclones needed extra innings. And for the fourth time in those five contests they found themselves on the losing end, dropping the decision 9-8 to the State College Spikes.

The Cyclones took a very short-lived lead in the top of the first when Gene Cone scored on a double play ground out to open the scoring and take a 1-0 advantage. The lead would vanish quickly though, as Brooklyn starter Merandy Gonzalez was ambushed in the bottom of the frame. After a leadoff single, Dylan Tice hit a two-run home run to quickly give the Spikes a 2-1 advantage. State College kept the rally going, batting around and collecting six hits, to take a 5-1 advantage.

After a scoreless second inning, the Cyclones sliced into the lead after Jay Jabs connected on a two-out tripe and came around to score on a Colby Woodmansee single that made it 5-2. But again, in the bottom of the frame State College responded. Dillon Becker came on in relief of Gonzalez but, like his predecessor, quickly found himself in trouble. Becker walked the first two batters he faced, and after retiring the next two batters, allowed a double to Vincent Jackson that plated a pair and pushed the Spikes lead to 7-2.

But as has often been the case in the early going this season, the comeback 'Clones began to claw their way back in the top of the sixth. Blake Tiberi and Brandon Brosher worked back-to-back walks to start the frame and after a wild pitch moved them into scoring position, Arnaldo Berrios had a two-RBI single that cut the deficit to 7-4.

An inning later, the Cyclones capped their comeback with a grand slam home run from Brandon Brosher that gave Brooklyn an 8-7 lead. But, as had been the case earlier in the game, State College quickly responded. The Spikes used a two-out RBI single from Ryan McCarvel, off of reliever Gabriel Feliz to draw even at 8-8.

That's how it would stay until the bottom of the 11th when Alejandro Castro pitching for the second time in as many days, pitched himself into trouble. Josh Swirchak singled to start the frame and then Danny Hudzina tried to advance the runner with a sacrifice bunt. Castro fielded it and tried to make a play at second but his throw went sailing into centerfield to put runners at first and second with nobody out. Anthony Ray then laid down another sacrifice bunt, that was fielded by Castro again, this time the Cyclones reliever tossed to third but Swirchak slid in safely to load the bases with nobody out. With the infield drawn in, Castro got Tommy Edman to hit a ground ball to short that Woodmansee fired home for the first out of the frame. The sidearming righthander then got ahead of Dylan Tice 1-2, but on the fifth pitch of the at-bat plunked the Spikes left fielder to force home the game winning run.

The Cyclones will look to take the rubber game of the three-game set tomorrow night in State College when they send LHP Joel Huertas to the mound for the series finale. Brooklyn will then head home for a three-game set with the Connecticut Tigers starting on Friday night.

Check out the Brooklyn Cyclones Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



New York-Penn League Stories from June 30, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central