Cyclones 2
Staten Island Yankees 1
July 20 at MCU Park
Brooklyn topped the hated Staten Island Yankees in a walk-off win in the 12th to split a four-game cross-borough series — and end a five-game home losing streak.
In what would become the second extra innings face-off of the series, Clones starter Hansel Robles pitched an astounding eight innings of ball, striking out nine Baby Bombers and retiring batters in order five times while giving up one run, six hits, and no walks.
Brooklyn designated hitter Alexander Sanchez put the Clones on the board in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI line drive that sent shortstop Philip Evans home. But the Yanks rallied in the seventh, with designated hitter Matt Snyder and right fielder Exicardo Cayones smacking line drives to right field for a pair of singles. Staten Island second baseman Jose Rosario took the plate with two away and laced one into the left field corner that let Snyder score, but Cayones got tagged out at the plate when he attempted to follow suit.
It looked like it was all over for the Yanks in the bottom of the 10th when reliever Mariel Checo surrendered a single to Brooklyn right fielder Eudy Pina — who managed to advance to third on a sac bunt and a throwing error. Checo then intentionally walked third baseman Dimas Ponce and shortstop Philip Evans to load the bases with just one away, but catcher Kevin Plawecki flied out to right field, and Sanchez chopped a grounder to Rosario for a putout — getting Checo out of the jam and sending the game into its 11th frame.
Mini-Mets closer Tyler Vanderheiden took the rubber at the top of the 12th and walked two batters in a row with just one out. But catcher Pete O’Brien hit into a force out at second, and Vanderheiden fanned Cayones to escape the inning.
In the bottom of the 12th, Ponce — who went four for five on the night — slapped a ground ball into left field for single. Plawecki then chopped a grounder up the middle to send Ponce to third. Sanchez came up to bat and smacked a third grounder to drive in Ponce and give Brooklyn the win.
The Cyclones are home again at MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 17th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449–8497, www.brooklyncyclones.com] tonight at 7 pm as they take on the Aberdeen IronBirds.
