
Tong Hurls Five One-Hit Frames as 'Clones Surge Back into Win Column
June 20, 2024 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Brooklyn Cyclones News Release
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Behind five shutout innings from RHP Jonah Tong during which he struck out seven, the Brooklyn Cyclones ended their three game skid, defeating the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 2-1. The Markham, Ontario native's seven punch outs are one shy of his Brooklyn career high. The 21-year-old picked up the victory, while RHPs Ben Simon and Jeffrey Colon earned holds, followed by RHP Josh Hejka notching his fourth save of the year.
Jersey Shore entered the contest needing a win and Greensboro loss if it wanted to clinch the first half crown in the North Division of the SAL. That said, Greensboro defeated Hudson Valley as Brooklyn and Jersey Shore were still playing, so even a win for the BlueClaws would not have been enough for them to ink a playoff spot.
Brooklyn mashed five doubles on the night, good for all but one of their six hits. The five extra base hits are one shy of the most Brooklyn has logged in a contest this year. 3B Nick Lorusso clobbered two doubles himself, while also drawing a walk. SS Wilfredo Lara, 2B Junior Tilien and C Christian Pregent also logged a two-bagger for the 'Clones.
The Cyclones scratched across all their offense in the bottom of the second. The inning started with a bang, as Lara and Tilien got to LHP Sam Aldegheri quickly with consecutive doubles to begin the frame. After Aldegheri struck out RF Kellum Clark for the inning's first out, Pregent kept the line moving with an RBI double of his own to push the Brooklyn lead to 2-0. Following a passed ball that allowed Pregent to take third, Aldegheri struck out the next two batters to retire the side.
The BlueClaws did proceed to get one back in the sixth. After Simon retired the first two batters of the frame, a ground ball through the middle off the bat of 3B Erick Brito put a runner on with two away. Then, Brito proceeded to steal second, and would later score on an RBI base knock from 2B William Bergolla to spoil the shutout.
Still, that would be all the BlueClaws could muster offensively. Following a roughly 20 minute delay due to an umpire injury, Colon relieved Simon and tossed only one pitch - a pop out from LF Emaarion Boyd to get Brooklyn out of the frame.
Jersey Shore threatened in the ninth as well. With men on first and second and only one away, Hejka came up big with a strikeout followed by a fly out to put the icing on the cake.
Brooklyn and Jersey Shore will ring in the second half of the 2024 regular season on Friday night at Maimonides Park at 7:00. RHP Kade Morris (1-1, 5.32 ERA) takes the ball for Brooklyn on his birthday, where he is expected to oppose RHP Eiberson Castellano (3-2, 4.35 ERA) for the BlueClaws.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 20, 2024
- 10-3 Loss to Greenville Caps Rome's First-Half Championship Run - Rome Emperors
- Tong Hurls Five One-Hit Frames as 'Clones Surge Back into Win Column - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Beer City Battles, Winston-Salem Steals It at the End - Asheville Tourists
- Hot Rods Shutout 4-0 in First-Half Finale - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Coffey, Castro Homer in Drive's 10-3 Victory over Rome - Greenville Drive
- Bratt's Gem Sends 'Dads to Victory - Hickory Crawdads
- Claws Fall on Thursday, Just Miss First-Half Title - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Wilmington Closes out First Half of the Season with a 4-2 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Renegades End First Half with Loss to Greensboro - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Renegades Game Notes - Hudson Valley Renegades
- The Snakes Kick off Farro's Tees Summer Concert Series June 29th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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.
Other Recent Brooklyn Cyclones Stories
- Santucci Shines, But Blue Rocks Blank Cyclones, 2-0
- Eight-Run Third Helps Cyclones Clobber 'Rocks, 12-3
- Suero Plays Hero as Cyclones Walk It off for Second Straight Night; Win 13th Straight Home Game
- Hernandez's Walk-Off Solo Shot Completes 'Clones Comeback for 12th Straight Home Win
- Fog-Gedaboudit: Cyclones Win Fog Shortened Contest for 11th Straight Home Win

