Cyclones 9
Williamsport 2
July 5 at Kramerica Industries Field (MCU Park)
Brandon Brosher’s seven runs batted in set a Cyclones record in Brooklyn’s 9–2 thumping of the Crosscutters on “Salute to Seinfeld” night.
Brosher hit a grand slam in the first inning, and cleared the bases with a three-run double in the seventh.
The grand slam was the first by a Cyclone since Alex Sanchez did it in 2013.
Studying the pitcher and batting with the bases loaded is a formula for success.
“I’m looking at what the pitcher feels the most comfortable throwing,” Brosher said. “In those situations, the pitcher doesn’t have a lot of room to work with.”
Williamsport starter Mitch Gueller gave up two hits and plunked Jeff Diehl to load the bases for Brosher.
“My first at-bat he felt confident in the changeup, went to it for the third time and by that time I was already sitting on it.”
Brosher has been showing off what skipper Tom Gamboa has called “Mike Piazza-type strength.”
Last season, Brosher hit four homers in the first nine games at Kingsport before breaking his ankle in the dugout while running on wet concrete in his spikes.
Another off-the-field injury kept Brosher out of the start of the season. In five games with Brooklyn, he’s hitting .333 with two homers and nine runs batted in.
He’s really making up for lost time, also setting the club record for runs batted in, in a single game.
“It’s awesome,” Brosher said. “I’m thrilled that I was able to do that and it’s definitely a nice honor to have.”
The offensive explosion overshadowed Kevin Canelon’s tremendous relief outing. Taking over for Jose Celas in the fourth, Canelon pitched shutout ball for four-and-two-thirds innings, striking out six.
Celas and Canelon make a tandem starter, what the team calls a “piggyback.” When Celas starts, Canelon is the first out of the bullpen and vice versa.
Celas walked six but was able to strand the bases loaded in the first and third innings.
But the six walks concerned Gamboa.
“I just think he was too amped up,” said the Clones skipper. “He had a good fastball today but when he’s wild it’s always wild high. And it seemed like every inning started off 2–0 to the first hitter.”
After the tandem of Celas and Canelon pitched eight innings, Ruben Reyes pitched a scoreless ninth.
The 11–5 Cyclones go for the sweep of the Crosscutters at 7 pm on Monday at MCU Park.
What will Brosher do for an encore?
“We’ll see,” said the catcher and designated hitter. “It’ll be a surprise.”
UPS AND DOWNS
Vinny Siena had two more hits. Siena has hit safely in 14 of his 15 games as a Cyclone.
Brandon Kaupe and Pedro Perez both drove in a run with a sac fly.
Twenty-six years to the day that “Seinfeld” premiered on NBC, the Cyclones had a second “Salute to Seinfeld” night. The team wore jerseys honoring the “Technicolor Dreamcoat” made famous by Kramer. Steve Hytner, who played Kenny Bania, met with fans. And there were also Seinfeld related events including an Elaine dance off and muffin top eating.
