Cyclones 3
Connecticut Tigers 2
Aug. 1 at MCU Park
A fifth-inning fielding error blew the game for the Connecticut Tigers, letting Clones phenom Brandon Nimmo tally the winning run in a tight matchup in Coney Island.
The Mini-Mets took an early lead, racking up two runs in the first on a line drive double off the bat of designated hitter Kevin Plawecki, driving in shortstop Philip Evans and first baseman Jayce Boyd.
But the Tigers tied the game in the fourth, as left fielder Danry Vasquez opened the inning by slapping a grounder up the middle for a double. Second baseman Devon Travis drew a walk, and right fielder Patrick Smith hit a liner off Cyclones starter Gabriel Ynoa to send his teammates home.
The bottom of the fifth brought up the top of the order for the Clones, and Nimmo — who is batting .326 over the last 10 games — smacked a frozen rope to right for a single. Evans grounded out, bringing up Boyd, who chopped a playable ball to the hot corner. But an error by third baseman Edgar Corcino let Boyd reach base — and let Nimmo cross the plate.
Tigers skipper Andrew Graham was ejected from the game in the eighth after arguing a call with first base ump Blake Carnahan, but that failed to help his team rally. Coney closer Tyler Vanderheiden picked up his sixth save of the season after he caught center fielder Jake Stewart looking to end the game.
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 7 pm as they take on the Connecticut Tigers.
