Eleven of the first 17 games the Cardiac Clones have played have been decided by one run.
That doesn’t even include a loss to Hudson Valley where the squad scored twice in the ninth to cut the score to 6–4, or an extra-inning loss to Connecticut when the Tigers scored three in the 10th and the Cyclones answered back with one of their own and got the tying run to the plate.
It’s been an exhausting way to play baseball, but Brooklyn manager Tom Gamboa is confident that the early season trials have actually helped his team.
“The character that the team has shown through the first 11 is that I believe in all of our losses except one, we’ve brought not only the tying run, but the winning run to the plate,” Gamboa said last week. “So they obviously don’t ever give up.”
If the close games are the trademark of this summer, the constant in Gamboa’s three seasons with Brooklyn has been a strong bullpen. Taylor Henry is 1–0 with two saves and hasn’t given up a run in any of his seven appearances. Henry stood out in extended spring training in Florida where the Cyclones, Kingsport and Gulf Coast — the Mets’ rookie-level team — all played.
“I always look to see who has the intangibles,” Gamboa said. “The ice water in their veins to be able to handle closing. Two years ago it was Shane Bay that stood out amongst the pack. A year ago it was Alex Palsha that stood out amongst the pack. [Henry’s] certainly not a power guy, he’s got a great changeup and he’s got a decent fastball. Henry was the guy that stood out down there. As far as having poise, the presence to handle the situation.”
Gamboa is hopeful that the bullpen can help the Cyclones wrap up victories in regulation, particularly during this week’s three-game series in Batavia.
As far as the Brooklyn skipper is concerned, the eight-hour bus ride is similar to going “to hell and back.” Still, just like playing in 11 extra-inning games, there are positives to be found in this situation as well.
“It’s the worst field,” Gamboa said. “It’s like playing at an American Legion park. It is what it is. At least we’re getting it out of the way early.”