Cyclones 4
Auburn Doubledays 1
Aug. 4 at MCU Park
The Cyclones snapped the Auburn Doubledays’ four-game winning streak by capitalizing on the stunning collapse of the away team’s bullpen in the seventh inning.
The Cyclones took a one-run lead in the first, after a leadoff double from surging center fielder Brandon Nimmo, who extended his hitting streak to seven games. Shortstop Philip Evans then slapped a grounder out to right field — extending his own hitting streak to five games and letting Nimmo advance to third. A passed ball by Doubleday catcher Spencer Kieboom let Nimmo cross the plate.
The Doubledays, who lead the NY-Penn League’s Pinckney division, tied the game in the sixth, after a sacrifice by shortstop Mike McQuillan drove in center fielder Narciso Mesa. But the Pride of Coney Island recaptured the lead in the bottom of the seventh, when Doubledays reliever Silvio Medina gave up a line drive double to Mini-Mets third baseman Dimas Ponce. who advanced to third on a sac bunt by second baseman Richie Rodriguez. Medina intentionally walked Brandon Nimmo — then unintentionally walked Evans and Boyd to drive Ponce in.
That was enough for Doubledays skipper Gary Cathcart to pull Medina for fellow righty Jason Smith. But Smith failed to stop the carnage, as catcher Kevin Plawecki hit a sac fly to left to send Nimmo home. Smith then walked left fielder Stefan Sabol to move Evans and Boyd up, and gave up a single to Sanchez to let Evans score.
The Doubledays failed to come back in the last two innings, letting hurler Hansel Robles pick up the win and closer Tyler Vanderheiden notch his eighth save of the season. The Clones are now two games out of first in the McNamara division, trailing the Hudson Valley Renegades. They lead the State College Spikes by three games in the wild card race. Mets ace Johan Santana is scheduled to start for the Cyclones tonight as he comes off the disabled list.
The Cyclones are home again at MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 17th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449–8497, www.brooklyncyclones.com] on tonight at 5 pm as they take on the Auburn Doubledays.
