Cyclones 10
Tri-City 1
Aug. 24 at MCU Park
The Cyclones took the rubber match of a three game series with an offensive explosion that gave the team its first double-digit production this season.
Marcos Molina gave up one run on a wild pitch in the first, that was all the ValleyCats could muster against Cyclones hurlers, and the offense took over from there.
A lead-off single from John Mora in the first got things going. After an Adrien Abreu walk, Michael Conforto hit a rocket to right field that narrowly missed being a home run, but still managed to bring in Mora and Abreu. Tyler Moore then singled to score Conforto for the final run of the inning.
Cyclone hitters again exploded for five runs in the second to put the game away. With runners on the corners, Conforto’s single drove in Mora from third, for his second run batted in of three on the night. Michael Bernal later tripled, giving the Cyclones the 8–1 lead.
Relievers Brandon Welch and Mike Hepple took care of last seven outs.
The Cyclones take on the hated Staten Island Yankees in Staten Island on Monday for a two game series before visiting the ValleyCats in that team’s litter box.
Double digit runs: The Cyclones were the last team in the New York-Penn League to reach double digits in a game.
Iron man: The Cyclones third baseman Jhoan Urena is the only player in the league to play in all 68 games this season. The franchise record for most games in a season in 74 set by Kirk Niewenhuis in 2008.
Playoff update: The Cyclones hold a two-game lead in the New York-Penn League wild card race. The team will put playoff tickets on sale on Monday at 10 am. Game A which would be game one of the semi-finals to be held at MCU Park on Sept. 3 if the team can keep it together. Of course, the Clones still have a shot at first place, as the Clones are six games behind the Hudson Valley Renegades with eight to play. Ya gotta believe.
