Cyclones 5
Ironbirds 2
Monday, June 21 at MCU Park
The Cyclones got the scoring started with a bang in the bottom of the first — and in a quite unconventional fashion. Twenty-year-old (today!) phenom Darrell Ceciliani smashed a triple to deep right field, and Cory Vaughn followed with a massive four-bagger to almost the same spot.
At MCU (formerly Keyspan) Park, there are typically only one or two deep drives to right field per year, thanks to the strong Atlantic Ocean breeze. The air current that keeps home fans comfortable also depresses the home team’s power numbers.
The Ironbirds got two runs off starter Wes Wrenn in the second, but only one single was hard hit.
But the Cyclones stormed back in the fourth. After a walk to Vaughn, Bill Cherry popped a double to deep left field, scoring the speedy Vaughn easily. A passed ball allowed another run.
In the sixth, Vaughn showed off his legs again, hitting a leadoff triple — and then scoring on an uncharacteristic suicide squeeze by Cherry.
Wrenn was largely effective, scattering six hits in six innings — and also striking out six.
Fire-throwing closer Johan Figuereo got himself into a bit of trouble, with a leadoff double in the eighth and a leadoff single in the ninth, but ended up striking out six for his second save.
The Cyclones finish their two-game series against the Ironbirds tonight at MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 19th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449-8497]. For info, visit www.brooklyncyclones.com.
